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When to Plant Che Fruit in Kings County, NY

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.

Kings County, New York is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.

At an elevation of 505 feet, Kings County receives approximately 48.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Che Fruit during the growing season.

Kings County, NY (Zone 7b) Long season
228 days
Last Spring Frost March 29
228 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Kings County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 30

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 220 gal / 100 sq ft
Che Fruit needs ~24,455 GDD — county provides 3,819 GDD May not mature

Che Fruit Planting Timeline โ€” Kings County, NY

Che Fruit Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 19 Apr 19 โ€“ May 3

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 7b

Growing Season

228 days

Growing Tips for Kings 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 Kings County, NY?

Kings County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 29. Plan your Che Fruit planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kings County, NY?

Kings County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 29 and first fall frost is November 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Kings County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Kings County, NY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.