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When to Plant Che Fruit in Izard County, AR

Che fruit (Chinese mulberry) is a small, cold-hardy tree producing round, red fruits with a sweet, watermelon-fig flavor. It is an underutilized fruit tree with great potential.

Izard County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 281 feet, Izard County receives approximately 48.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Che Fruit during the growing season.

Izard County, AR (Zone 6b) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
209 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Izard County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 58 gal / 100 sq ft
Che Fruit needs ~23,360 GDD — county provides 3,344 GDD May not mature

Che Fruit Planting Timeline โ€” Izard County, AR

Che Fruit Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 6

ยท 120" apart ยท Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

1095โ€“1825 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 6b

Growing Season

209 days

Growing Tips for Izard County

Plant in well-drained soil. A male pollinator is needed for seeded fruit, but seedless fruit can set parthenocarpically. Minimal pruning required. Fruits ripen in late summer.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Che Fruit in Izard County, AR?

Izard County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Che Fruit planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Izard County, AR?

Izard County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Izard County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Izard County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.