When to Plant Che Fruit in Butte County, CA
May to-do list for Butte County, California
Welcome to May in Zone 9b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
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Move che fruit from tray to bed
Bring a watering can to the bed. Each transplant gets a drink the moment it's in the ground, not ten minutes later.
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.
Butte County, California is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 204 days.
At an elevation of 144 feet, Butte County receives approximately 44.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Che Fruit during the growing season.
Butte County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.8-7.7
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Butte County
How your county's soil matches Che Fruit's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.8–7.7) overlaps with Che Fruit's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Butte 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 (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Che Fruit.
How to Plant Che Fruit
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
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 | — | 9.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 9.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 6.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 3" | 1.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 1.1" | 3.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 0.2" | 4.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 0" | 4.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 0" | 4.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 0.4" | 3.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 2.1" | 2.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Dec | — | 7.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Butte 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 Planting Timeline — Butte County, CA
Che Fruit Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Transplant Outdoors | May 4 | May 4 – May 18 |
· 120" apart · Rows 144" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | — |
| May | Transplant Outdoors |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
1095–1825 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 9b
📆 Growing Season
204 days in Butte County
Growing Tips for Che Fruit in Butte County
Direct sow Che Fruit outdoors after April 20 in Butte County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your 204.0-day growing season in Butte 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 →
Che Fruit in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Che Fruit in Butte County, CA?
Butte County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of April 20. Plan your Che Fruit planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Butte County, CA?
Butte County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and first fall frost is November 10.
Your Butte County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Butte County (Zone 9b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.