Blog

When to Plant Che Fruit in Morgan County, UT

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.

Morgan County, Utah is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 17 and the first fall frost is August 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 75 days.

At an elevation of 6,439 feet, Morgan County receives approximately 14.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Che Fruit to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Che Fruit successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Morgan County, UT (Zone 5b) Very short season
75 days
Last Spring Frost June 17
75 growing days
First Fall Frost August 31

Morgan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jul 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jul 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jul 15

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 Morgan County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5โ€“8.1) overlaps with Che Fruit's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Che Fruit.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). 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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 395 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Che Fruit needs ~18,980 GDD — county provides 975 GDD May not mature

Che Fruit Planting Timeline โ€” Morgan County, UT

Che Fruit Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors July 8 Jul 8 โ€“ Jul 22

ยท 120" apart ยท Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June โ€”
July Transplant Outdoors
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: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

75 days in Morgan County

Growing Tips for Che Fruit in Morgan County

Direct sow Che Fruit outdoors after June 17 in Morgan County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 75.0-day growing season in Morgan County is tight for Che Fruit (1095.0-1825.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Morgan County receives only 14" 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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Che Fruit in Morgan County, UT?

Morgan County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of June 17. Plan your Che Fruit planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Morgan County, UT?

Morgan County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 17 and first fall frost is August 31.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Morgan 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 Morgan County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.