When to plant pumpkins in Arkansas
Arkansas’s average last spring frost is April 3, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 1 — about 212 frost-free days (USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a). Pumpkin needs 90–120 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Arkansas's growing season.
When to plant pumpkins in Arkansas: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Apr 3 – Apr 20, with seeds started indoors Mar 6 – Mar 20. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over. For Halloween, count back 90–120 days from October 31: sow by Jul 3–Aug 2. See the Halloween plan.
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow pumpkins in Arkansas, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Mar 6 – Mar 20). Sow seeds 1 inch deep in seed-starting mix under bright light. They take 5-10 days to sprout, fastest in soil around 85°F. Harden seedlings off for a week before they go outside.
- Prepare the bed. They need at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 18 inches deep, with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Dig in compost before planting.
- Plant out (Apr 3 – Apr 20). Space plants about 48 inches apart in rows 96 inches apart. It is killed by frost, so nothing goes outside until the danger has passed.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: squash vine borer, squash bug, striped cucumber beetle. Diseases and disorders: powdery mildew, bacterial wilt.
- Harvest (from about Jul 9 – Aug 8). Pumpkin takes 90-120 days to reach harvest. For Halloween pumpkins in the north, count back 100-120 days from 31 Oct and start indoors. Mini varieties can climb a strong trellis.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Arkansas’s average frost dates. More in the full pumpkin growing guide.
Planting pumpkins in Arkansas for Halloween
Spring dates above suit a long season. If you want fruit ready for Halloween, count back from Halloween (October 31). Pumpkin takes 90–120 days from sowing to a mature fruit, so these are the latest sowing dates. Sow earlier for a margin, but not too early: the University of Arkansas Extension warns that pumpkins planted too early may rot before Halloween.
| Days to maturity | Latest sowing for Halloween | Typical for |
|---|---|---|
| 120 days | July 3 | slowest types (giants) |
| 100 days | July 23 | jack-o'-lantern and pie types (University of Arkansas variety table) |
| 90 days | August 2 | quickest types |
See the full growing guide for pumpkin. Days to maturity vary by variety, so check the seed packet.
What Arkansas extension says about pumpkins
- Plant pumpkins for Halloween in early June. If pumpkins are planted too early, they may rot before Halloween. (University of Arkansas Extension, Pumpkins (FSA6074))
- Do not plant until all danger of frost is past. The seeds will not germinate in cool soil. (University of Arkansas Extension, Pumpkins (FSA6074))
- Its variety table lists days to maturity of 95 for miniatures, 100 for small, pie and jack-o'-lantern types, 110 for cushaw and 120 for giants. Jumbo varieties are planted in mid-May. (University of Arkansas Extension, Pumpkins (FSA6074))
- Plant bush varieties 1 inch deep, one to two seeds per foot of row, and thin to a single plant every 3 feet, with 7 to 12 feet between rows. (University of Arkansas Extension, Pumpkins (FSA6074))
- Its spring and summer planting-dates table lists pumpkin for April to May planting (110 days to maturity), summer squash for April to May and winter squash for May to July. (University of Arkansas Extension, spring and summer planting dates)
Pumpkin planting dates by USDA zone in Arkansas
Arkansas spans USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the pumpkin dates shift with them.
When to plant pumpkins in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas (this page) | April 3 | Apr 3 – Apr 20 |
| Alabama | March 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 11 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 6 |
| Louisiana | March 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 22 |
| Florida | February 12 | Feb 12 – Mar 1 |
Questions gardeners in Arkansas ask
When is the best time to plant pumpkins in Arkansas?
Plant pumpkin transplants outdoors in Arkansas between April 3 and April 20. That timing is set by Arkansas's average last spring frost of April 3.
When should I start pumpkin seeds indoors in Arkansas?
Start seeds indoors between March 6 and March 20, about 3 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from April 3.
What is the latest I can plant pumpkins in Arkansas?
About August 3. Pumpkins need at least 90 days to mature, and frost around November 1 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short. If you want ripe fruit for Halloween, the cut-off is earlier: see the Halloween dates on this page.
When will pumpkins planted in Arkansas be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, pumpkins are usually ready from about July 9 to August 8, 90-120 days after planting.
When should I plant pumpkins in Arkansas for Halloween?
Count back 90-120 days from October 31: the latest sowing dates are July 3 to August 2. Sow a little earlier for a margin. University of Arkansas Extension, Pumpkins (FSA6074): Plant pumpkins for Halloween in early June. If pumpkins are planted too early, they may rot before Halloween.
When is the last frost in Arkansas?
On average around April 3, with the first fall frost around November 1 - about 212 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.