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When to Plant Persimmon in Shasta 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.

Shasta County, California is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is June 6 and the first fall frost is September 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 107 days.

At an elevation of 81 feet, Shasta County receives approximately 40.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, 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.

Shasta County, CA (Zone 8b) Short season
107 days
Last Spring Frost June 6
107 growing days
First Fall Frost September 21

Shasta County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jul 13

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 Shasta County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7โ€“6.8) overlaps with Persimmon's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Shasta County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Persimmon will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Persimmon.

How to Plant Persimmon

120"
Between Plants
144"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.6″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Persimmon

Persimmon needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Persimmon Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 7.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 6.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 3.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May โ€” 1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Jun 4.3" 0.2" 4.1" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 0" 4.3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 0" 4.3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 0.4" 3.9" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 4.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 7.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Junโ€“Sep in Shasta County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Persimmon Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Persimmon needs ~25,094 GDD — county provides 1,471 GDD May not mature

Persimmon Planting Timeline โ€” Shasta County, CA

Persimmon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 27 Jun 27 โ€“ Jul 11

ยท 120" apart ยท Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Transplant Outdoors
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 Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

1095โ€“2555 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

107 days in Shasta County

Growing Tips for Persimmon in Shasta County

Direct sow Persimmon outdoors after June 06 in Shasta County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Shasta County dries quickly โ€” mulch Persimmon with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Your 107.0-day growing season in Shasta County is tight for Persimmon (1095.0-2555.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Persimmon in Shasta County, CA?

Shasta County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of June 6. Plan your Persimmon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Shasta County, CA?

Shasta County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is June 6 and first fall frost is September 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Shasta County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Shasta County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.