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When to Plant Persimmon in Dubuque County, IA

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.

Dubuque County, Iowa is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 163 days.

At an elevation of 1,243 feet, Dubuque County receives approximately 36.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Persimmon to ensure they mature before fall.

Dubuque County, IA (Zone 4b) Moderate season
163 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
163 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9

Dubuque County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 12

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 621 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Persimmon needs ~22,356 GDD — county provides 1,996 GDD May not mature

Persimmon Planting Timeline โ€” Dubuque County, IA

Persimmon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 27 May 27 โ€“ Jun 10

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€“2555 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 4b

Growing Season

163 days

Growing Tips for Dubuque 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 Dubuque County, IA?

Dubuque County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Persimmon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dubuque County, IA?

Dubuque County, Iowa is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 9.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Dubuque County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Dubuque County, IA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.