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When to Plant Persimmon in Pike County, AR

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.

Pike County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 232 days.

At an elevation of 891 feet, Pike County receives approximately 47.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90Β°F, providing good warmth for Persimmon during the growing season.

Pike County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
232 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
232 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Pike County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 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.

Soil Compatibility in Pike County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–7.0) overlaps with Persimmon's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). 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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 329 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 β€” 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 β€” 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb β€” 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4.5" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" πŸ’§ Light watering
May 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" πŸ’§ Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.4" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.5" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" πŸ’§ Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" πŸ’§ Light watering
Nov 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" πŸ’§ Light watering
Dec β€” 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Pike 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 ~31,938 GDD — county provides 4,060 GDD May not mature

Persimmon Planting Timeline β€” Pike County, AR

Persimmon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 13 Apr 13 – Apr 27

Β· 120" apart Β· Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January β€”
February β€”
March β€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May β€”
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· Only during dry spells

πŸ“… Days to Maturity

1095–2555 days

πŸ§ͺ Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 Β· Your soil: acceptable

πŸ—ΊοΈ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

πŸ“† Growing Season

232 days in Pike County

Growing Tips for Persimmon in Pike County

Direct sow Persimmon outdoors after March 23 in Pike County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 232.0-day growing season in Pike 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 Pike County, AR?

Pike County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Persimmon planting based on this frost date β€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pike County, AR?

Pike County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 10.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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