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When to plant Che Fruit in Owyhee County County,

Plant Che Fruit in Owyhee County County, between June 30 and July 14 — the only viable window. Zone 7a's short season (103 frost-free days) rules out a fall crop.

When to Plant Che Fruit in Owyhee County, ID

Owyhee County, Idaho Zone 7a June

June in the garden — Owyhee County, Idaho

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Owyhee County, Idaho this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost June 9
Avg. first frost September 20
Soil temp (4") 62°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.1 hrs
  1. Move che fruit into the garden

    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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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.

Owyhee County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is June 9 and the first fall frost is September 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 103 days.

At an elevation of 4,621 feet, Owyhee County receives approximately 18.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Che Fruit during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Che Fruit successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Owyhee County, ID (Zone 7a) Short season
103 days
Last Spring Frost June 9
103 growing days
First Fall Frost September 20
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Owyhee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Che Fruit Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jul 10

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 Owyhee County

How your county's soil matches Che Fruit's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.8) overlaps with Che Fruit's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Owyhee County is excellent for Che Fruit — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). Annual compost additions will help Che Fruit.

How to Plant Che Fruit

120"
Between Plants
144"
Between Rows

Che Fruit Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 288 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1.3" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Owyhee 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 needs ~25,550 GDD — county provides 1,802 GDD May not mature

Che Fruit Planting Timeline — Owyhee County, ID

Che Fruit Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 30 Jun 30 – Jul 14

· 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
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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 7a

📆 Growing Season

103 days in Owyhee County

Growing Tips for Che Fruit in Owyhee County

Direct sow Che Fruit outdoors after June 09 in Owyhee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 103.0-day growing season in Owyhee County is tight for Che Fruit (1095.0-1825.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Owyhee County receives only 18" of rain annually. Che Fruit needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Che Fruit in Owyhee County, ID?

Owyhee County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of June 9. Plan your Che Fruit planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Owyhee County, ID?

Owyhee County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is June 9 and first fall frost is September 20.

When should I plant Che Fruit in Owyhee County County, ?

In Owyhee County County, , plant Che Fruit after the last frost (around June 9) and before the first frost (around September 20). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Owyhee County County, for Che Fruit?

Owyhee County County sits in USDA Zone 7a. Che Fruit grows reliably in zones 5a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Che Fruit grow in Owyhee County County's climate?

Yes — Che Fruit grows well in Owyhee County County's temperate climate. Owyhee County County averages a 103-day frost-free season, with last frost around June 9 and first frost around September 20.

🌱

Your Owyhee County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Owyhee County (Zone 7a). 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 Owyhee County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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