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North Dakota

I jumped the gun. Tried giant pumpkins twice before and had fun going overboard on it. Had some downfalls along the way but I'm back to try again.

I started a seed here in North Dakota on the 12th of April, I realize it was way early but I thought I could keep it alive as it was looking warm. We'll, it turned around, now my plant is starting its second true leaf and the 10 day forecast is mostly highs in the 40s. Is it worth even trying to either keep him in the 6in pot until it warms up or planting him in the enclosure I built. Soil temps are still less than 50 here. If I were to plant him at these soil temp would it kill him or would it kind of go dormant a bit until it warms up?

I have several more seeds so im probably only out like $20 but I also would like to see this little guy through haha.

4/23/2026 11:30:27 PM

C N Y

Not an expert but my thought at the moment is to plant it out, since you made an enclosure, and treat it as though it is in that warm spell, including an initial watering with your favorite water-soluble fertilizer. If it had sprouted outdoors in its natural environment, would there be a field of weeds and one dead pumpkin plant? Perhaps not, if above freezing at all times.
I say any time in the dirt is beneficial. If it's your ONLY plant to grow for the year, though, see other advice as well.
Good luck! Eric G

[Last edit: 04/24/26 3:24:37 AM]

4/24/2026 3:22:04 AM

Ironton, ohio

I'm with PP2, get it in the ground protect it the best you can. Go ahead and start another batch of seedlings indoors and if in two weeks you like the way they look you can pivot to one of them. If your original plant is alive and well in two more weeks then party on! Best of luck

4/24/2026 4:46:44 AM

Hadley Ny

I would think about repotting it to a 2 gallon pot for another 10 days or so then transplant it out. Other choice is to put a little heat in your enclosure and go ahead and plant it out. If you plant out now the plant will basically just sit there until it warms up. You can always heat your enclosure to bring temp up.

4/24/2026 7:28:54 AM

Spooner, WI

Put them in larger pots that will buy some time I don't know how big your pots are but go with a two gallon pot. I've had to keep plants in the past with up to five true leaves before Just don't let them get to leggy.lol. Big T I think we posted at the same time.lol.

[Last edit: 04/24/26 7:40:36 AM]

4/24/2026 7:37:37 AM

Upa Creek, MO

That's really cold. I am with BigT and OJ, highs in the 40s means the plant will just shut down in the cold soil unless you have cables. Repot and buy another week.

I have seen debates about this over the years... potential rootbound in a pot vs dormant in cold soil with both sides supported. I say go bigger pot without heated soil.

4/24/2026 8:07:36 AM

Hadley Ny

Luke, I Agree Nice thing about repotting for a short period in a larger pot is you don't get really root bound. You get real grow time and cold soil doesn't produce. I'm in one of the coldest parts of the country being up here in the Adirondacks. My weather is very similiar to Northern Vermont. Mine normally go in the ground with 5 main leaves and a couple foot of vine. I do not have heating cables and hoops which is ideal for cold weather. I believe I started mine the 13th and am on my third leaf. They like it warm.

4/24/2026 12:49:00 PM

Bethlehem CT

I dont sweat it, I just put them in bigger pots. I like the thin plastic ones that a tree or shrub might come in. They can easily be cut off with a knife when its time to transplant. You can duck tape them and use again if you want to. I just throw mine out because I have saved so many over the years.

4/25/2026 7:48:47 AM

Upa Creek, MO

Same here, been using the same pots since 2011 using the cut and duct tape method. Mine have lids which are now the bottom, the original bottom was cut out and is now the top. When time to transplant, remove the tape down the side over the cut, and then take lid off(bottom tray now).

4/25/2026 8:24:07 AM

Ontario

I dont like to take more than 14 days from opening the seedpack till they go outside. If you have electricity, get some soil heat cables and put those in the soil under your planting spot, and that'll keep you going pretty well. Then make a mini greenhouses that you can blanket on really cold nights. Outside temp was 32 this morning, inside the greenhouses I blanketed it was warm to the feel this morning with only soil heat ( i have to put a thermostat in there to be sure, but I think it was 50+ in there)

4/25/2026 9:56:50 AM

Grittyville, WA

I like 14 day rule too, but I've also planted big overgrown plants and I'd take an oversized transplant over a delayed start.

4/25/2026 7:50:54 PM