Blog

When to Plant Che Fruit in West Carroll Parish, LA

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.

West Carroll Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 11 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 247 days.

At an elevation of 455 feet, West Carroll Parish receives approximately 60.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Che Fruit may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Che Fruit root diseases.

West Carroll Parish, LA (Zone 8a) Long season
247 days
Last Spring Frost March 11
247 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

West Carroll Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Mar 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 29

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 ~32,120 GDD — county provides 5,434 GDD May not mature

Che Fruit Planting Timeline โ€” West Carroll Parish, LA

Che Fruit Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 15

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 8a

Growing Season

247 days

Growing Tips for West Carroll Parish

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 West Carroll Parish, LA?

West Carroll Parish is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 11. Plan your Che Fruit planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is West Carroll Parish, LA?

West Carroll Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 11 and first fall frost is November 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help West Carroll Parish gardeners in Zone 8a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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 West Carroll Parish, LA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.