farm pumpkin in Missouri is a rewarding experience . With its moderate mood , the Show - Me State is an ideal place to educate your very own pumpkin patch .
Temperatures in Missouri ambit from blistering and humid in the summer to coldness and snowy in the wintertime . However , between these two extremes lies a pleasant and soft season for pumpkin planting .
In the saltation , affectionate temperatures and raft of pelting make the perfect environs for pumpkin seed to germinate and grow . During the summer , the heat and humidness of Missouri provide the perfect environment for pumpkins to mature and ripen .
Popular pumpkin varieties
Selecting the right variety of Cucurbita pepo for your purposes and climate is an important step in growing pumpkins . If you inhabit in a climate with a shorter growing time of year , you ’ll desire to pick a variety that matures in under 100 days . These are some popular pumpkin varieties and their approximate days to glean :
Please note that the days to harvest may variegate reckon on growing conditions , so it ’s best to refer to the seed packet or refer with a local gardening expert for more specific information .
When to plant pumpkins indoors in Missouri
If you need to get a head start on your pumpkin harvest or live in a realm with a short growing time of year , start yourpumpkin seeds indoorscan be a great option . Generally mouth , you should aim to set out your pumpkin seed indoors about 4 - 6 weeks before you plan to transfer them outdoors . This timing will give the seedling time to mature and develop impregnable origin organization , without becoming too large or root - oblige . In Missouri , you should plant your pumpkin seeds indoors around :
To jump your pumpkin seeds indoors , you ’ll need to forgather some supplies , including seed - starting tray , seminal fluid - starting mix , and a uprise light or sunny windowsill . Fill the seminal fluid - starting tray with the cum - starting mixing , and plant one or two pumpkin seeds per cell , institute the semen about 1 inch deep .
come in the seed trays in a warm , bright location , and keep the soil systematically moist . Once the seminal fluid have germinated and arise their first set of dependable leaves , you may begin to fertilize them with a balanced fertilizer .
As the seedling retain to develop , you may require to thin them out to one plant per cubicle to keep overcrowding . It ’s also significant to harden off your seedling before transplanting them outdoors , gradually exposing them to outdoor atmospheric condition over the grade of several days to avoid shock . With proper care and attending , your indoor - uprise pumpkin seedling will be ready to transfer alfresco and continue their outgrowth into mature , beautiful pumpkins .
When to transplant pumpkins outdoors
Once your pumpkin seedlings have grown into sturdy plants and the weather has warmed up , it ’s time to graft them outdoors . Before transplanting , it ’s significant to verify that the soil temperature is at least 60 ° F ( 15 ° C ) and that there is no longer a danger of Robert Lee Frost . The net freeze date in Missouri is :
To prepare your garden bed for autumn pumpkin get-go , choose a sunny location with well - drain grease . Add passel of compost or well - rotted manure to the dirt , as pumpkin vine are heavy feeders and ask lots of nutrient to thrive .
When planting your pumpkin start , verify to space them about 3 - 5 pes asunder , depending on the variety . Dig a hole that is slightly big than the root musket ball of the seedling , and place the seedling into the mess , wee certain to eat up it up to its first solidification of true leaves . This will encourage the industrial plant to educate a unassailable origin system and make itself in the soil .
After planting , irrigate your autumn pumpkin starts thoroughly and regularly , cause sure to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged . add a bed of mulch around the plants can facilitate retain moisture and prevent green goddess .
As the pumpkin vine industrial plant continue to grow , you may need to provide additional support in the sort of treillage or cage to keep the vines from sprawl too far and taking up too much space . With proper care and attending , your pumpkin vine starts will grow into mature plant life and produce beautiful , levelheaded pumpkins just in clip for the crop season .
Caring for pumpkin plants
Once you ’ve implant your pumpkins outdoors in Missouri , it ’s crucial to put up them with proper care . Doing so will help you get the most out of your pumpkin plants and have an amazing harvest !
When to harvest pumpkins in Missouri
autumn pumpkin are typically ready to harvest when they have reached their full size and the vines have get down to dry out out . Here are some signs that your pumpkins are ready to be picked :
When harvest pumpkins , it ’s important to use penetrating , fair shears or a knife to tailor the root about 2 in ( 5 centimeter ) above the fruit . Avoid pulling or twisting the autumn pumpkin , which can damage the stem and make it more susceptible to waste . After harvest , store your Cucurbita pepo in a cool , dry place with good air circulation to aid them last longer .
