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When to Plant Persimmon in Riverside County, CA

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.

Riverside County, California is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 24 and the first fall frost is December 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 283 days.

At an elevation of 1,206 feet, Riverside County receives approximately 15.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 102ยฐF, so Persimmon may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Persimmon successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Riverside County, CA (Zone 9b) Year-round
283 days
Last Spring Frost February 24
283 growing days
First Fall Frost December 4

Riverside County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Feb 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Mar 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 5

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
0.2″/week
You supply
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,338 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Persimmon needs ~48,362 GDD — county provides 7,526 GDD May not mature

Persimmon Planting Timeline โ€” Riverside County, CA

Persimmon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 24

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 9b

Growing Season

283 days

Growing Tips for Riverside 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 Riverside County, CA?

Riverside County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 24. Plan your Persimmon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Riverside County, CA?

Riverside County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 24 and first fall frost is December 4.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Riverside County gardeners in Zone 9b 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 Riverside County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.