Crops › Giant Pumpkin (Squash)
How to grow Giant Pumpkin (Squash)
in the US
Sow April to May, plant out June to August, harvest September to October. About 90 days from seed to plate.
Shown for zone 6. Zone table further down.
Growing giant pumpkins is a proper adventure, you know. There's nothing quite like seeing one of these monsters swell up on your plot, getting bigger by the day. They do need a fair bit of room, mind, but the bragging rights are worth it.
Sowing
You'll want to sow your giant pumpkin seeds either indoors a few weeks before your last frost date, or directly into the soil once it's properly warmed up. For zones 8 and 9, March or April is usually a good start. In zones 6 and 7, aim for April or May, and for zone 5 folks, May is your best bet. Plant them about an inch deep. If you're sowing indoors, a little pot on the windowsill is fine, then move them to a cold frame if it's still chilly outside before planting out. Make sure the soil is warm enough for direct sowing, that's key.
Growing on
These plants need loads of space, like I say. Once your indoor seedlings have a few true leaves, harden them off for a week or two before planting them outside after all danger of frost has passed. Give each plant a good 10 to 20 feet (3 to 6 meters) in every direction, honest. They're proper spreaders. You won't be growing these in a pot on the patio, not if you want a giant, anyway!
Looking after it
Giant pumpkins are hungry and thirsty things. They need rich soil and full sun, so get some good compost or well-rotted manure worked in before planting. Water them deeply and consistently, especially when they're putting on growth and the fruits are swelling. A good layer of mulch around them helps keep that moisture in too. You might want to pinch off some of the smaller fruits later on, just to focus the plant's energy on one or two big ones.
What goes wrong
Like most squashes, giant pumpkins can attract a few unwelcome visitors. Watch out for squash bugs and vine borers, they can cause real damage if you let them get a hold. Aphids and cucumber beetles can be a nuisance too. Keep an eye on your plants, check under the leaves regularly, and pick off any bugs you see by hand. A bit of vigilance goes a long way, that's what I've found.
Harvest
Giant pumpkins are usually ready for harvest about 90 days after sowing, typically from August right through to November. You'll know they're ready when the skin is hard and the stem starts to dry out. Cut them from the vine, leaving a bit of stem attached, that helps them store better. Winter squash types, like these giant pumpkins, need curing for 7 to 14 days in a warm, dry spot before you store them away for later.
If you're aiming for a really big one, don't be shy about sacrificing the smaller fruits. Let the plant put all its energy into just one or two, and you'll be chuffed with the size.
Dates for your plot
Type your zone and the plant-out advice shifts to your frost dates.
Varieties, and whether the club would grow them again
| Variety | Club verdict |
|---|---|
| Atlantic Giant This is the classic giant pumpkin, known for its sheer size potential and vibrant orange color. Ideal for competitive growers or anyone wanting to make a serious statement in their yard. | No club votes yet |
| Big Max A reliable open-pollinated variety that consistently produces large, round pumpkins. Great for first-timers wanting to grow a proper big one without too much fuss. | No club votes yet |
| Big Moon Living up to its name, this variety produces huge, pale-skinned pumpkins that can grow to impressive weights. Perfect if you're looking for something a bit different and truly massive. | No club votes yet |
| Mammoth Gold Expect bright golden-orange giants from this cracking outdoor variety, often reaching substantial sizes. A good choice for those with plenty of space who prefer direct sowing. | No club votes yet |
| Prizewinner Bred specifically for competition, Prizewinner offers excellent potential for record-breaking weights and classic pumpkin shape. This is the one serious giant pumpkin growers often turn to. | No club votes yet |
| Dills Atlantic Giant The renowned champion, Dills Atlantic Giant seeds are behind many world records for size and weight. If you're serious about growing the biggest pumpkin possible, this is your go-to. | No club votes yet |
| Mammoth Red Offers a striking deep red-orange color alongside impressive size, making it a real eye-catcher on the plot. A fantastic option for those wanting a huge pumpkin with a bit of extra visual flair. | No club votes yet |
| Hundredweight A traditional favorite, Hundredweight produces very large, slightly flattened pumpkins with a good, solid feel. It's a reliable choice for gardeners wanting a weighty harvest from an outdoor sow. | No club votes yet |
| Big Moose This variety yields enormous, round to slightly flattened pumpkins with a classic orange skin. A robust choice for those aiming for a really substantial pumpkin that's grown indoors first. | No club votes yet |
| Goliath Giant As the name suggests, Goliath Giant produces truly enormous fruits that mature well in good conditions. Ideal for direct sowing and a cracking harvest of proper big pumpkins. | No club votes yet |
| Polar Bear A unique giant, Polar Bear produces huge, ghostly white pumpkins that are quite a spectacle. Perfect for a striking display or for something a bit different from the usual orange. | No club votes yet |
| Wolf Pumpkin A very vigorous plant that produces large, round, deep orange pumpkins, excellent for carving or simply showing off. Great for a big, classic pumpkin grown direct in the soil. | No club votes yet |
| Giant Atlantic Orange This one delivers classic, huge, bright orange pumpkins, just what you picture when you think 'giant pumpkin'. A solid choice for impressive size and a cracking color, started indoors. | No club votes yet |
| Mammoth Classic Offers reliable growth and large, slightly ribbed, classic-shaped pumpkins that ripen well outside. A dependable variety for gardeners seeking a substantial pumpkin harvest without indoor faff. | No club votes yet |
| Titan Giant Known for its incredible growth potential, Titan Giant can produce truly colossal pumpkins under optimal conditions. If you're chasing records or just want the biggest possible, this is a strong contender. | No club votes yet |
Votes are members rating varieties in their Seed Tin, one vote per gardener. Tap a variety for the full page and where to buy.
Buy Giant Pumpkin (Squash) seeds
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Sowing by USDA zone
| Zone | Sow / plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April to June | August to November |
| Zone 4 | April to June | August to November |
| Zone 5 | May | September to October |
| Zone 6 | April to May | September to October |
| Zone 7 | April to May | August to October |
| Zone 8 | March to April | August to November |
| Zone 9 | March to April | August to November |
| Zone 10 | April to June | August to November |
Cook the harvest
A warming, make-ahead breakfast bake using giant pumpkin purée to transform plain oats into a custardy, sliceable morning dish. This recipe is ideal for feeding a crowd from a glut harvest, and reheats perfectly throughout the week. Serve warm with a drizzle of maple syrup.
50 min · easyA hearty, filling stew that puts giant pumpkin's abundant flesh to excellent use alongside protein-rich red lentils and North African spices. This stew is warming, deeply satisfying, and a brilliant way to process large quantities of harvest. It tastes even better the next day.
50 min · easyMoist, generously spiced muffins made from the surprisingly useful flesh of giant Atlantic pumpkins. While grown for competition, giant pumpkins are edible and produce copious amounts of purée. These muffins are a delicious way to use up the harvest without wasting a single pound.
37 min · easyA lightly spiced, amber-colored jam that transforms pounds of giant pumpkin flesh into jars of autumn sunshine. Pumpkin jam is less common than apple or berry, which makes it a wonderful talking point — and a perfect use of a harvest too large to eat fresh. Spread on warm biscuits or toast.
65 min · mediumWatch for, and grow alongside
Companions: Corn, Beans, Nasturtiums, Marigolds
Questions people ask
When do you sow Giant Pumpkin (Squash) in the US?
Sow Giant Pumpkin (Squash) from April to May in zone 6, earlier or later by zone. Plant out June to August, after the last frost.
How long does Giant Pumpkin (Squash) take from sowing to harvest?
Roughly 90 days, with the harvest September to October.
Which Giant Pumpkin (Squash) varieties do gardeners grow again?
Club members rate every variety they grow. This page shows the grow-again votes for Atlantic Giant, Big Max, Big Moon, Mammoth Gold and more.
Track your Giant Pumpkin (Squash) from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.