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When to Plant Persimmon in Hinsdale County, CO

Hinsdale County, Colorado Zone 5a May

Your May game plan for Hinsdale County, Colorado

Your garden in Hinsdale County, Colorado is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.

Avg. last frost June 18
Avg. first frost September 10
Soil temp (4") 34°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14 hrs

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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.

Hinsdale County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is June 18 and the first fall frost is September 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 84 days.

At an elevation of 6,833 feet, Hinsdale County receives approximately 23.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Persimmon to ensure they mature before fall.

Hinsdale County, CO (Zone 5a) Very short season
84 days
Last Spring Frost June 18
84 growing days
First Fall Frost September 10
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Hinsdale County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jul 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jul 20

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 Hinsdale County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–8.1) overlaps with Persimmon's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Hinsdale County is excellent for Persimmon — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). 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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Hinsdale 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 ~20,988 GDD — county provides 966 GDD May not mature

Persimmon Planting Timeline — Hinsdale County, CO

Persimmon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors July 9 Jul 9 – Jul 23

· 120" apart · Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May
June
July Transplant Outdoors
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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

84 days in Hinsdale County

Growing Tips for Persimmon in Hinsdale County

Direct sow Persimmon outdoors after June 18 in Hinsdale County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 84.0-day growing season in Hinsdale County is tight for Persimmon (1095.0-2555.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Hinsdale County receives only 24" of rain annually. Persimmon needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Hinsdale County, CO?

Hinsdale County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of June 18. Plan your Persimmon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hinsdale County, CO?

Hinsdale County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is June 18 and first fall frost is September 10.

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Your Hinsdale County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Hinsdale County (Zone 5a). 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 Hinsdale County, CO. 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.