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When to Plant Che Fruit in Grant County, WA

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.

Grant County, Washington is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 164 days.

At an elevation of 3,122 feet, Grant County receives approximately 17.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Che Fruit during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Che Fruit successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Grant County, WA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
164 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
164 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Grant County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 9

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 802 gal / 100 sq ft
Che Fruit needs ~26,645 GDD — county provides 2,993 GDD May not mature

Che Fruit Planting Timeline โ€” Grant County, WA

Che Fruit Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 20 May 20 โ€“ Jun 3

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

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 6b

Growing Season

164 days

Growing Tips for Grant 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 Grant County, WA?

Grant County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Che Fruit planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grant County, WA?

Grant County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Grant County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Grant County, WA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.