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When to Plant Che Fruit in Wayne 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.

Wayne County, New York is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 167 days.

At an elevation of 1,138 feet, Wayne County receives approximately 41 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Che Fruit during the growing season.

Wayne County, NY (Zone 5b) Moderate season
167 days
Last Spring Frost May 3
167 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Wayne County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

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€” 3.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 2.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 3.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 3.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 3.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 2.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

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

Che Fruit Planting Timeline โ€” Wayne County, NY

Che Fruit Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 24 May 24 โ€“ Jun 7

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

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

1095โ€“1825 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

167 days in Wayne County

Growing Tips for Wayne 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Che Fruit in Wayne County, NY?

Wayne County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Che Fruit planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wayne County, NY?

Wayne County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Wayne County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Wayne County, NY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.