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When to Plant Pumpkin in Arkansas County, AR

Pumpkins are large-fruited squash varieties grown for eating, decoration, and seed production. They require ample space and a long, warm growing season.

Arkansas County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 243 days.

At an elevation of 803 feet, Arkansas County receives approximately 51.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Pumpkin during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Pumpkin root diseases.

Arkansas County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
243 days
Last Spring Frost March 14
243 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Arkansas County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 14 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 7

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 245 gal / 100 sq ft
Pumpkin needs ~2,024 GDD — county provides 4,799 GDD Excellent fit

Pumpkin Planting Timeline โ€” Arkansas County, AR

Pumpkin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 14 Feb 14 โ€“ Feb 28
Transplant Outdoors March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 11
Direct Sow March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 11
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 โ€“ Aug 15

Plant 1" deep ยท 30" apart ยท Rows 42" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

85โ€“120 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

243 days

Growing Tips for Arkansas County

Direct sow on mounds after last frost. Allow 6-10 feet between plants. Slip a board under developing fruit to prevent rot. Harvest when rind is hard and deep in color.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Pumpkin in Arkansas County, AR?

Arkansas County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 14. Plan your Pumpkin planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Arkansas County, AR?

Arkansas County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 14 and first fall frost is November 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Arkansas County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Arkansas County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.