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When to Plant Persimmon in Hickman County, KY

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.

Hickman County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 217 days.

At an elevation of 1,219 feet, Hickman County receives approximately 51.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89Β°F, providing good warmth for Persimmon during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Persimmon root diseases.

Hickman County, KY (Zone 7a) Long season
217 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
217 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Hickman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 6

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 Hickman County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5–6.6) overlaps with Persimmon's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Hickman County is excellent for Persimmon β€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). 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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

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 β€” 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb β€” 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 5.1" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" πŸ’§ Light watering
May 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" πŸ’§ Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.7" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.9" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.1" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" πŸ’§ Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" πŸ’§ Light watering
Nov β€” 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec β€” 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Oct in Hickman County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall β€” 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" β€” every day above 50Β°F 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 ~30,569 GDD — county provides 3,634 GDD May not mature

Persimmon Planting Timeline β€” Hickman County, KY

Persimmon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 – May 2

Β· 120" apart Β· Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January β€”
February β€”
March β€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June β€”
July β€”
August β€”
September β€”
October β€”
November β€”
December β€”

Growing Conditions

β˜€οΈ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

πŸ’§ Water

1"/week Β· Natural rainfall sufficient

πŸ“… Days to Maturity

1095–2555 days

πŸ§ͺ Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 Β· Your soil: acceptable

πŸ—ΊοΈ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

πŸ“† Growing Season

217 days in Hickman County

Growing Tips for Persimmon in Hickman County

Direct sow Persimmon outdoors after March 28 in Hickman County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 217.0-day growing season in Hickman 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 Hickman County, KY?

Hickman County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Persimmon planting based on this frost date β€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hickman County, KY?

Hickman County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is October 31.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner β€” designed to help Hickman County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Hickman County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.