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When to Plant Che Fruit in Lawrence 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.

Lawrence County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 222 days.

At an elevation of 530 feet, Lawrence County receives approximately 51.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Che Fruit during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Che Fruit root diseases.

Lawrence County, AR (Zone 7a) Long season
222 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
222 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Lawrence 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 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 7

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Che Fruit needs ~28,835 GDD — county provides 4,384 GDD May not mature

Che Fruit Planting Timeline โ€” Lawrence County, AR

Che Fruit Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30

ยท 120" apart ยท Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May โ€”
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 7a

Growing Season

222 days

Growing Tips for Lawrence 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 Lawrence County, AR?

Lawrence County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Che Fruit planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lawrence County, AR?

Lawrence County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 3.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lawrence County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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