Growing pumpkins in Arizona can be a rewarding experience , as the state ’s warm climate and plenty of sunlight provide ideal precondition for the veg to thrive .
Arizona ’s semi - arid climate offers quite a little of ardent , sunny twenty-four hour period , with temperatures pasture from the mid-90s during the summertime months to the thirty during the winter calendar month . The body politic ’s medium one-year rain is low , but winter rains and summertime monsoons can furnish the necessary wet to help pumpkins produce in Arizona .
Arizona ’s soil is mostly well - drained and offer the everlasting environment for pumpkin growth . The state ’s long growing season , typically between April and October , allows pumpkins in Arizona to reach due date without the threat of early Robert Frost .
Popular pumpkin varieties
Selecting the right assortment of pumpkins for your purposes and climate is an important footstep in maturate pumpkins . If you live in a climate with a shorter spring up season , you ’ll want to pick a variety that matures in under 100 day . These are some democratic pumpkin varieties and their rough days to glean :
Please remark that the days to harvest may vary bet on growing conditions , so it ’s best to come to to the seminal fluid packet or consult with a local horticulture expert for more specific information .
When to plant pumpkins indoors in Arizona
If you require to get a head teacher begin on your pumpkin crop or live in a region with a short growing time of year , startle yourpumpkin seeds indoorscan be a bully option . Generally speaking , you should aim to pop your autumn pumpkin seeds indoors about 4 - 6 workweek before you project to transplant them outdoors . This timing will give the seedlings time to mature and develop strong root organisation , without becoming too large or root - tie up . In Arizona , you should plant your pumpkin seed indoors around :
To protrude your autumn pumpkin seed indoors , you ’ll demand to gather some supplies , including seed - starting trays , seed - starting premix , and a grow Light Within or sunny windowsill . make full the cum - go tray with the seed - starting mixing , and implant one or two pumpkin seeds per cell , planting the seminal fluid about 1 column inch abstruse .
Place the ejaculate trays in a warm , bright location , and keep the dirt consistently moist . Once the seeds have germinated and developed their first set of straight leaves , you could begin to fertilize them with a balanced fertilizer .
As the seedlings preserve to grow , you may need to thin them out to one plant life per cubicle to prevent overcrowding . It ’s also authoritative to indurate off your seedlings before transplanting them outside , bit by bit give away them to outside conditions over the course of several day to obviate stupor . With right care and aid , your indoor - grown pumpkin seedling will be quick to transpose outdoors and continue their increase into mature , beautiful pumpkins .
When to transplant pumpkins outdoors
Once your pumpkin seedlings have grown into sturdy plants and the weather has warmed up , it ’s time to transfer them alfresco . Before transplanting , it ’s authoritative to ensure that the grunge temperature is at least 60 ° F ( 15 ° C ) and that there is no longer a risk of icing . The final frost date in Arizona is :
To prepare your garden layer for Cucurbita pepo start , pick out a sunny location with well - draining dirt . append plenty of compost or well - rotted manure to the soil , as pumpkins are heavy eater and require wad of nutrient to thrive .
When planting your autumn pumpkin take up , ensure to space them about 3 - 5 feet apart , depending on the miscellany . Dig a gob that is more or less larger than the root nut of the seedling , and put the seedling into the hole , making sure to bury it up to its first set of truthful farewell . This will encourage the plant to develop a strong root system and establish itself in the stain .
After planting , water your Cucurbita pepo starts thoroughly and on a regular basis , making sure to keep the soil systematically moist but not waterlogged . Adding a bed of mulch around the flora can help retain moisture and prevent weeds .
As the Cucurbita pepo plant continue to grow , you may need to provide extra support in the soma of treillage or cages to keep the vine from sprawling too far and taking up too much distance . With proper care and attention , your autumn pumpkin starting will spring up into matured flora and produce beautiful , healthy Cucurbita pepo just in time for the harvest home time of year .
Caring for pumpkin plants
Once you ’ve planted your pumpkins alfresco in Arizona , it ’s crucial to provide them with right forethought . Doing so will help oneself you get the most out of your pumpkin plants and have an amazing harvest !
When to harvest pumpkins in Arizona
pumpkin vine are typically quick to harvest when they have strain their full size and the vines have started to dry out . Here are some sign that your pumpkins are ready to be picked :
When harvesting pumpkins , it ’s important to habituate sharp , clean shear or a knife to cut the stem about 2 inches ( 5 cm ) above the yield . keep off pulling or twisting the pumpkin , which can damage the stem and make it more susceptible to decompose . After harvesting , store your pumpkin vine in a cool , teetotal home with near atmosphere circulation to help them last longer .
