Arkansas is a gravid place to grow autumn pumpkin due to its temperate climate and foresightful growing time of year . With its hot and humid summers and mild wintertime , Arkansas cater ample fair weather and rain for pumpkin plants to fly high .
Pumpkin plants ask mountain of sun , warmth , and moisture to produce the best pumpkins , and Arkansas has all of these in copiousness . The state has an average of around 200 rime - complimentary days each twelvemonth , which give plenty of time for pumpkins to reach maturity . The dirt in Arkansas is also very ample and well - draining , which is perfect for grow pumpkin .
Popular pumpkin varieties
Selecting the correct form of pumpkins for your purpose and clime is an important step in growing pumpkin . If you live in a climate with a shorter growing season , you ’ll need to beak a salmagundi that matures in under 100 sidereal day . These are some popular pumpkin change and their approximative days to harvest :
Please observe that the days to harvest may vary depending on growing conditions , so it ’s best to refer to the seed packet or consult with a local gardening expert for more specific information .
When to plant pumpkins indoors in Arkansas
If you require to get a head part on your pumpkin harvest or live in a realm with a shorter produce season , starting yourpumpkin seeds indoorscan be a swell option . loosely speaking , you should direct to part your pumpkin seed indoors about 4 - 6 weeks before you design to transplant them outdoors . This timing will give the seedlings time to suppurate and develop strong antecedent systems , without becoming too large or root - limit . In Arkansas , you should plant your pumpkin seed indoors around :
To originate your autumn pumpkin sow indoors , you ’ll need to get together some supplies , admit seed - starting tray , seed - start mix , and a arise light or cheery windowsill . Fill the semen - bug out trays with the come - starting mix , and imbed one or two pumpkin seeds per cellular telephone , planting the seed about 1 inch deep .
Place the seed tray in a warm , lustrous location , and keep the dirt consistently moist . Once the semen have sprout and developed their first hardening of true leaves , you may start to fecundate them with a balanced fertilizer .
As the seedlings keep on to grow , you may need to thin out them out to one plant per cell to forbid overcrowding . It ’s also important to harden off your seedlings before transplanting them out of doors , gradually exposing them to outdoor experimental condition over the form of several days to debar jar . With proper care and attending , your indoor - grow pumpkin seedlings will be ready to graft outdoors and continue their ontogeny into ripe , beautiful pumpkin .
When to transplant pumpkins outdoors
Once your pumpkin seedling have grow into sturdy plants and the weather has warmed up , it ’s time to graft them alfresco . Before transplanting , it ’s important to ensure that the soil temperature is at least 60 ° F ( 15 ° degree centigrade ) and that there is no longer a risk of Robert Frost . The terminal frost date in Arkansas is :
To train your garden bed for pumpkin vine starts , choose a sunny location with well - drain soil . contribute wad of compost or well - rot manure to the soil , as pumpkin are heavy feeder and command lots of nutrients to thrive .
When planting your pumpkin start out , make certain to space them about 3 - 5 pes apart , calculate on the variety . Dig a hole that is slightly larger than the etymon glob of the seedling , and place the seedling into the trap , ensure to bury it up to its first bent of reliable leave . This will encourage the plant to develop a unassailable root organisation and plant itself in the soil .
After planting , water your pumpkin part exhaustively and regularly , realize sure to keep the grunge systematically moist but not waterlogged . Adding a layer of mulch around the plant can help retain wet and prevent weeds .
As the pumpkin vine plants continue to maturate , you may need to provide additional documentation in the form of trellises or cages to keep the vines from sprawling too far and taking up too much space . With right care and care , your pumpkin starts will grow into mature plants and grow beautiful , healthy autumn pumpkin just in clock time for the harvest season .
Caring for pumpkin plants
Once you ’ve planted your pumpkins outdoors , it ’s important to provide them with proper care . Doing so will help you get the most out of your pumpkin plants and have an amazing harvest !
When to harvest pumpkins in Arkansas
Pumpkins are typically quick to harvest when they have reached their full sizing and the vines have commence to dry out out . Here are some signs that your pumpkins are ready to be piece :
When harvesting pumpkins , it ’s important to use acute , clean shears or a knife to cut back the stem about 2 inches ( 5 cm ) above the fruit . Avoid pulling or twisting the pumpkin vine , which can damage the prow and make it more susceptible to rot . After harvest home , lay in your pumpkins in a cool , dry place with good air circulation to help them last longer .
