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When to Plant Persimmon in Siskiyou County, CA

Siskiyou County, California Zone 8a May

Siskiyou County, California gardeners: here's your May plan

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Siskiyou County, California this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost May 15
Avg. first frost October 1
Soil temp (4") 67°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 14.3 hrs
June prep starts now
  • Transplants going out: persimmon

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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.

Siskiyou County, California is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 139 days.

At an elevation of 251 feet, Siskiyou County receives approximately 36 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Persimmon to ensure they mature before fall. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Persimmon will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Siskiyou County, CA (Zone 8a) Short season
139 days
Last Spring Frost May 15
139 growing days
First Fall Frost October 1
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Siskiyou County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jul 9

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 Siskiyou County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0–6.9) is within Persimmon's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Siskiyou County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Persimmon will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). 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
1.1″/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 7.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 7.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 5.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 1" 3.3" 🚿 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" 1.6" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 6.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Siskiyou County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — 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" — 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.

Persimmon needs ~23,725 GDD — county provides 1,807 GDD May not mature

Persimmon Planting Timeline — Siskiyou County, CA

Persimmon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 5 Jun 5 – Jun 19

· 120" apart · Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May
June Transplant Outdoors
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

1095–2555 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

139 days in Siskiyou County

Growing Tips for Persimmon in Siskiyou County

Direct sow Persimmon outdoors after May 15 in Siskiyou County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Siskiyou County dries quickly — mulch Persimmon with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Your 139.0-day growing season in Siskiyou 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 Siskiyou County, CA?

Siskiyou County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of May 15. Plan your Persimmon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Siskiyou County, CA?

Siskiyou County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is May 15 and first fall frost is October 1.

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Your Siskiyou County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Siskiyou County (Zone 8a). 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 Siskiyou County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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