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When to Plant Che Fruit in Logan County, KS

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.

Logan County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 165 days.

At an elevation of 764 feet, Logan County receives approximately 22.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Che Fruit during the growing season.

Logan County, KS (Zone 5b) Moderate season
165 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
165 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12

Logan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 3

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.

Soil Compatibility in Logan County

How your county's soil matches Che Fruit's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3โ€“7.4) is within Che Fruit's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.5).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Logan County is excellent for Che Fruit โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.9%). Annual compost additions will help Che Fruit.

How to Plant Che Fruit

120"
Between Plants
144"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 753 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Che Fruit

Che Fruit needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Che Fruit Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 2" 2.3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Nov โ€” 1.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Logan County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Che Fruit Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Che Fruit needs ~20,075 GDD — county provides 2,268 GDD May not mature

Che Fruit Planting Timeline โ€” Logan County, KS

Che Fruit Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jun 4

ยท 120" apart ยท Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

1095โ€“1825 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

165 days in Logan County

Growing Tips for Che Fruit in Logan County

Direct sow Che Fruit outdoors after April 30 in Logan County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 165.0-day growing season in Logan County is tight for Che Fruit (1095.0-1825.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Logan County receives only 22" of rain annually. Che Fruit needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Che Fruit in Logan County, KS?

Logan County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Che Fruit planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Logan County, KS?

Logan County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Logan County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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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 Logan County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.