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When to Plant Che Fruit in Fulton County, AR

Fulton County, Arkansas Zone 6b April

Top priorities for Fulton County, Arkansas gardeners in April

Your Fulton County, Arkansas garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for April and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost April 4
Avg. first frost October 27
Soil temp (4") 53°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 12.9 hrs
  1. Time to transplant che fruit

    Frost risk is low now in Fulton County, Arkansas. If you've been covering beds overnight, you can stop.

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Che fruit (Chinese mulberry) is a small, cold-hardy tree producing round, red fruits with a sweet, watermelon-fig flavor. It is an underutilized fruit tree with great potential.

Fulton County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 793 feet, Fulton County receives approximately 49.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Che Fruit during the growing season.

Fulton County, AR (Zone 6b) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 4
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27
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Fulton 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 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 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.

Soil Compatibility in Fulton County

How your county's soil matches Che Fruit's growing requirements.

Soil pH

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

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Fulton County is excellent for Che Fruit — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Che Fruit.

Organic Matter

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

How to Plant Che Fruit

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 Che Fruit

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

Month Che Fruit Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Fulton County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Che Fruit 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" — every day above 50°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.

Che Fruit needs ~21,170 GDD — county provides 2,987 GDD May not mature

Che Fruit Planting Timeline — Fulton County, AR

Che Fruit Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 – May 9

· 120" apart · Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

1095–1825 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

206 days in Fulton County

Growing Tips for Che Fruit in Fulton County

Direct sow Che Fruit outdoors after April 04 in Fulton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 206.0-day growing season in Fulton County is tight for Che Fruit (1095.0-1825.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

General growing tips

Plant in well-drained soil. A male pollinator is needed for seeded fruit, but seedless fruit can set parthenocarpically. Minimal pruning required. Fruits ripen in late summer.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Che Fruit in Fulton County, AR?

Fulton County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 4. Plan your Che Fruit planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fulton County, AR?

Fulton County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 4 and first fall frost is October 27.

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Your Fulton County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Fulton County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Fulton County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.