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When to Plant Persimmon in Gila County, AZ

Persimmons are ornamental trees producing sweet, honey-flavored fruits in fall. American persimmons are astringent until fully ripe while Asian types can be eaten firm.

Gila County, Arizona is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is February 13 and the first fall frost is December 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 295 days.

At an elevation of 3,643 feet, Gila County receives approximately 9.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Persimmon during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Persimmon will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Persimmon successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Gila County, AZ (Zone 7b) Year-round
295 days
Last Spring Frost February 13
295 growing days
First Fall Frost December 5

Gila County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Feb 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Mar 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 14

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
0.1″/week
You supply
1.4″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 3,693 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Persimmon needs ~37,412 GDD — county provides 6,068 GDD May not mature

Persimmon Planting Timeline โ€” Gila County, AZ

Persimmon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 20

ยท 120" apart ยท Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Transplant Outdoors
April โ€”
May โ€”
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€“2555 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

295 days

Growing Tips for Gila County

Choose self-fertile varieties or plant male and female trees. American types must be fully soft-ripe before eating. Asian varieties may be eaten when firm. Minimal pruning needed.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Persimmon in Gila County, AZ?

Gila County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of February 13. Plan your Persimmon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gila County, AZ?

Gila County, Arizona is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is February 13 and first fall frost is December 5.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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