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When to Plant Mulberries in Simpson County, KY

Mulberries are fast-growing, long-lived trees that produce abundant sweet-tart berries over an extended harvest period. The berries resemble elongated blackberries.

Simpson County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 3,996 feet, Simpson County receives approximately 49.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mulberries during the growing season.

Simpson County, KY (Zone 6b) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Simpson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 10

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 Simpson County

How your county's soil matches Mulberries's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5โ€“6.7) is within Mulberries's preferred range (5.5โ€“7.0).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Simpson County is excellent for Mulberries โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Mulberries.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Mulberries.

How to Plant Mulberries

120"
Between Plants
144"
Between Rows

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
Mulberries needs ~21,398 GDD — county provides 3,450 GDD May not mature

Mulberries Planting Timeline โ€” Simpson County, KY

Mulberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

730โ€“1825 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.5โ€“7 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

206 days in Simpson County

Growing Tips for Mulberries in Simpson County

Direct sow Mulberries outdoors after April 06 in Simpson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 206.0-day growing season in Simpson County is tight for Mulberries (730.0-1825.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

General growing tips

Plant away from driveways and patios as fallen berries stain. Minimal pruning is needed. Harvest by shaking branches over a tarp. Birds love mulberries so plant extra.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Mulberries in Simpson County, KY?

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

What planting zone is Simpson County, KY?

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

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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