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When to plant Persimmon in Ignacio, CO

Ignacio's 113-day season only supports one Persimmon planting per year. Sow between June 21 and July 5 for the best chance at full maturity before September 21.

When to Plant Persimmon in Ignacio, CO

La Plata County, Colorado Zone 6a June

La Plata County, Colorado gardeners: here's your June plan

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

Avg. last frost May 31
Avg. first frost September 21
Soil temp (4") 54°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Move persimmon into the garden

    Plant tomatoes deep — bury the stem up to the first true leaves to grow extra roots. Everything else goes in at the same depth it grew in the tray.

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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.

Ignacio, Colorado is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 31 and the first fall frost is September 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 113 days.

At an elevation of 5,246 feet, La Plata County receives approximately 14.9 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. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Persimmon successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Ignacio, CO (Zone 6a) Short season
113 days
Last Spring Frost May 31
113 growing days
First Fall Frost September 21

Ignacio Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Persimmon Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jul 17

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 Ignacio

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.9) overlaps with Persimmon's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). 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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 538 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.9" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1.3" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in La Plata 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 1,384 GDD May not mature

Persimmon Planting Timeline — Ignacio, CO

Persimmon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 21 Jun 21 – Jul 5

· 120" apart · Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

1095–2555 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

113 days in La Plata County

Growing Tips for Persimmon in Ignacio

Direct sow Persimmon outdoors after May 31 in La Plata County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 113.0-day growing season in La Plata County is tight for Persimmon (1095.0-2555.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

La Plata County receives only 15" 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 →

When should I plant Persimmon in Ignacio, CO?

In Ignacio, CO, plant Persimmon after the last frost (around May 31) and before the first frost (around September 21). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Ignacio, CO for Persimmon?

Ignacio sits in USDA Zone 6a. Persimmon grows reliably in zones 4a through 9b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Persimmon grow in Ignacio's climate?

Yes — Persimmon grows well in Ignacio's temperate climate. Ignacio averages a 113-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 31 and first frost around September 21.

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Your La Plata County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for La Plata County (Zone 6a). 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 La Plata County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.