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When to Plant Pumpkin in St. Francis 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.

St. Francis County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 234 days.

At an elevation of 1,429 feet, St. Francis County receives approximately 51.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Pumpkin during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Pumpkin root diseases.

St. Francis County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
234 days
Last Spring Frost March 20
234 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

St. Francis County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 10

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 169 gal / 100 sq ft
Pumpkin needs ~1,640 GDD — county provides 3,744 GDD Excellent fit

Pumpkin Planting Timeline โ€” St. Francis County, AR

Pumpkin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 20 Feb 20 โ€“ Mar 6
Transplant Outdoors April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ Apr 17
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 17
Harvest July 3 Jul 3 โ€“ Aug 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June โ€”
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

234 days

Growing Tips for St. Francis 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 St. Francis County, AR?

St. Francis County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 20. Plan your Pumpkin planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is St. Francis County, AR?

St. Francis County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and first fall frost is November 9.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help St. Francis 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 St. Francis County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.