Growing Cucurbita pepo in Alaska can be a challenging endeavor due to the often rough clime . Alaska ’s climate is typically cold and dry , with short , cool summer and long , cold wintertime . temperature range from an average of -2 ° C in the wintertime to an norm of 11 ° 100 in the summertime .
The growing time of year is usually short , unremarkably survive from May to August , with the distance of time varying depend on the region . Growing autumn pumpkin in Alaska can seem daunting . The climate is also prostrate to extended period of time of rain , blow , and freeze temperatures , which can make gardening difficult . Despite these challenges , it is possible to produce pumpkins in Alaska with the right-hand readying and care .
Popular pumpkin varieties
Selecting the right smorgasbord of pumpkins for your purposes and clime is an important step in growing autumn pumpkin in Alaska . If you live in a climate with a short growing time of year , you ’ll desire to peck a miscellany that mature in under 100 days . These are some democratic pumpkin varieties and their approximate days to harvest :
Please note that the days to harvest may vary depending on growing conditions , so it ’s good to refer to the seeded player mailboat or consult with a local horticulture expert for more specific information .
When to plant pumpkins indoors in Alaska
If you want to get a head originate on your pumpkin harvest or live in a region with a shorter growing season , starting yourpumpkin seeds indoorscan be a great option . Generally speaking , you should draw a bead on to start your autumn pumpkin seed indoors about 4 - 6 weeks before you plan to transplant them outdoors . This timing will give the seedlings time to mature and develop substantial root system , without becoming too expectant or root - bound . In Alaska , you should plant your Cucurbita pepo seeds indoors around :
To start your pumpkin seeds indoors , you ’ll need to pile up some supply , include semen - starting tray , seed - starting mixture , and a turn light or cheery windowsill . Fill the seed - starting trays with the germ - starting mixing , and plant one or two pumpkin seeds per cadre , imbed the come about 1 column inch deep .
range the seed trays in a strong , smart location , and keep the soil consistently moist . Once the germ have germinated and developed their first exercise set of true leaves , you may commence to fertilize them with a balanced fertilizer .
As the seedlings continue to grow , you may require to thin them out to one plant life per electric cell to forestall overcrowding . It ’s also important to indurate off your seedlings before transplanting them outdoors , gradually exposing them to outside term over the course of several day to forefend electrical shock . With proper care and tending , your indoor - grow pumpkin seedlings will be quick to transplant outdoors and continue their growth into matured , beautiful pumpkins .
When to transplant pumpkins outdoors
Once your pumpkin seedlings have grow into sturdy plant and the weather has warm up , it ’s time to transplant them out of doors . Before transplantation , it ’s of import to ensure that the ground temperature is at least 60 ° F ( 15 ° C ) and that there is no longer a risk of frost . The last frost date in Alaska is :
To prepare your garden seam for autumn pumpkin starts , take a cheery fix with well - draining soil . Add hatful of compost or well - rotted manure to the soil , as pumpkins are expectant feeders and require lots of nutrients to fly high .
When constitute your pumpkin commence , check that to space them about 3 - 5 feet apart , depend on the potpourri . Dig a kettle of fish that is slimly larger than the ascendant ball of the seedling , and place the seedling into the hole , making sure to inter it up to its first set of true leaves . This will encourage the plant life to develop a strong root system and establish itself in the soil .
After planting , irrigate your pumpkin starts thoroughly and on a regular basis , making sure to keep the soil systematically moist but not waterlogged . Adding a layer of mulch around the plants can help hold wet and foreclose weeds .
As the Cucurbita pepo flora continue to rise , you may want to allow additional support in the form of trellises or cage to keep the vines from sprawl too far and take up too much blank . With proper care and care , your autumn pumpkin starts will develop into matured industrial plant and produce beautiful , healthy pumpkins just in metre for the harvesting season .
Caring for pumpkin plants
Once you ’ve planted your pumpkin vine alfresco , it ’s important to provide them with proper fear . Doing so will help you get the most out of your pumpkin plants and have an amazing harvesting !
When to harvest pumpkins in Alaska
Pumpkins are typically ready to harvest when they have reached their full size of it and the vine have start to dry out out . Here are some signs that your pumpkins are ready to be pick :
When harvesting pumpkins , it ’s important to use sharp , clean shears or a knife to cut the root about 2 column inch ( 5 cm ) above the yield . Avoid pulling or sophisticate the pumpkin , which can damage the stem and make it more susceptible to rot . After harvesting , stash away your pumpkin in a coolheaded , dry home with good air circulation to help oneself them last longer .
