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When to plant Persimmon in Lake County, CO

Lake County's 70-day season only supports one Persimmon planting per year. Sow between July 12 and July 26 for the best chance at full maturity before August 30.

When to Plant Persimmon in Lake County, CO

Lake County, Colorado Zone 5a July

July in Lake County, Colorado — your action list

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

Avg. last frost June 21
Avg. first frost August 30
Soil temp (4") 52°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.5 hrs
  1. Transplant persimmon outside

    Bring a watering can to the bed. Each transplant gets a drink the moment it's in the ground, not ten minutes later.

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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.

Lake County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is June 21 and the first fall frost is August 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 70 days.

At an elevation of 7,687 feet, Lake County receives approximately 21.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Persimmon to ensure they mature before fall.

Lake County, CO (Zone 5a) Very short season
70 days
Last Spring Frost June 21
70 growing days
First Fall Frost August 30

Lake County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-8.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Persimmon Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jul 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jul 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jul 18

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 Lake County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6–8.2) overlaps with Persimmon's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Lake County is excellent for Persimmon — 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

Persimmon Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.3″/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 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Oct 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Aug in Lake 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 ~22,356 GDD — county provides 857 GDD May not mature

Persimmon Planting Timeline — Lake County, CO

Persimmon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors July 12 Jul 12 – Jul 26

· 120" apart · Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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

70 days in Lake County

Growing Tips for Persimmon in Lake County

Direct sow Persimmon outdoors after June 21 in Lake County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 70.0-day growing season in Lake County is tight for Persimmon (1095.0-2555.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Lake County receives only 21" 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 Lake County, CO?

Lake County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of June 21. Plan your Persimmon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lake County, CO?

Lake County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is June 21 and first fall frost is August 30.

When should I plant Persimmon in Lake County, CO?

In Lake County, CO, plant Persimmon after the last frost (around June 21) and before the first frost (around August 30). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Lake County, CO for Persimmon?

Lake County sits in USDA Zone 5a. Persimmon grows reliably in zones 4a through 9b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Persimmon grow in Lake County's climate?

Yes — Persimmon grows well in Lake County's temperate climate. Lake County averages a 70-day frost-free season, with last frost around June 21 and first frost around August 30.

🌱

Your Lake County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Lake 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 Lake County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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