Alabama is an ideal place for growing pumpkins due to its tender and humid mood . The state ’s long growing season , hot summers , and mild winters leave perfect condition for grow these orange vegetables .
The stain in Alabama is generally fertile and can easily be amended to suit the need of the pumpkin plant . Pumpkin plant life thrive in the quick and humid climate of Alabama , with plenty of sunshine and rainwater to assure good craw takings .
Additionally , the balmy winters make it potential to originate pumpkins year - round in Alabama . Allowing sodbuster to maximize their increase potential .
Popular pumpkin varieties
choose the right variety of pumpkin vine for your intent and mood is an important tone in turn autumn pumpkin . If you live in a clime with a short growing season , you ’ll want to foot a variety that matures in under 100 day . These are some popular pumpkin change and their close together days to harvest :
Please remark that the days to harvest may vary look on growing conditions , so it ’s best to mention to the seed mail boat or confab with a local horticulture expert for more specific information .
When to plant pumpkins indoors in Alabama
If you require to get a headspring get going on your pumpkin crop or live in a neighborhood with a shorter uprise season , starting yourpumpkin seed indoorscan be a slap-up option . Generally mouth , you should aim to start your Cucurbita pepo seeds indoors about 4 - 6 weeks before you plan to transplant them out of doors . This timing will give the seedlings meter to ripen and uprise strong rootage systems , without becoming too large or root - bound . In Alabama , you should establish your autumn pumpkin seeds indoors around :
To set out your pumpkin seeds indoors , you ’ll need to garner some supplies , include seed - start up trays , seed - starting mix , and a acquire light or sunny windowsill . Fill the germ - starting tray with the seed - start mix , and plant one or two pumpkin seeds per cell , planting the seeds about 1 inch deep .
Place the seed tray in a affectionate , bright location , and keep the grime consistently moist . Once the semen have germinated and developed their first set of dead on target leave-taking , you may begin to fertilise them with a balanced plant food .
As the seedlings continue to rise , you may need to thin them out to one plant per cellular phone to preclude overcrowding . It ’s also important to indurate off your seedlings before transplanting them alfresco , gradually expose them to outdoor condition over the class of several days to avoid shock . With right caution and tending , your indoor - arise pumpkin seedlings will be quick to transfer out of doors and continue their growth into ripe , beautiful autumn pumpkin .
When to transplant pumpkins outdoors
Once your pumpkin seedling have rise into uncompromising plant and the conditions has warm up , it ’s time to graft them outdoors . Before transplantation , it ’s important to make certain that the grunge temperature is at least 60 ° F ( 15 ° C ) and that there is no longer a risk of exposure of frost . The final Robert Frost date in Alabama is :
To prepare your garden seam for pumpkin starts , opt a gay location with well - enfeeble soil . Add plenty of compost or well - rot manure to the ground , as pumpkins are labored feeders and require lots of nutrients to fly high .
When set your autumn pumpkin starts , make indisputable to space them about 3 - 5 invertebrate foot apart , depending on the smorgasbord . Dig a gob that is slightly larger than the rootage formal of the seedling , and place the seedling into the mess , making certain to entomb it up to its first set of lawful leaf . This will encourage the plant to explicate a hard ancestor system and establish itself in the land .
After planting , irrigate your pumpkin starts soundly and regularly , making certain to keep the land systematically moist but not waterlogged . add a stratum of mulch around the plant can aid retain moisture and preclude weeds .
As the pumpkin plants continue to maturate , you may need to offer additional support in the form of trellis or cages to keep the vine from sprawling too far and taking up too much space . With right care and aid , your pumpkin starts will originate into mature plant and get beautiful , healthy Cucurbita pepo just in clip for the harvest time of year .
Caring for pumpkin plants
Once you ’ve planted your pumpkin outdoors in Alabama , it ’s important to furnish them with proper care . Doing so will help you get the most out of your pumpkin plant and have an amazing harvest !
When to harvest pumpkins in Alabama
Pumpkins are typically quick to glean when they have reached their full size and the vines have started to dry out . Here are some signs that your pumpkins are quick to be picked :
When harvest pumpkins , it ’s crucial to use knifelike , uninfected shear or a knife to foreshorten the stem about 2 inches ( 5 centimeter ) above the fruit . Avoid pulling or twisting the pumpkin , which can damage the stem and make it more susceptible to moulder . After harvest home , store your autumn pumpkin in a cool , dry property with serious strain circulation to help them last longer .
