When to Plant Che Fruit in Carroll County, IN
Carroll County, Indiana gardeners: here's your May plan
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
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Move che fruit into the garden
Frost risk is low now in Carroll County, Indiana. If you've been covering beds overnight, you can stop.
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.
Carroll County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 176 days.
At an elevation of 1,252 feet, Carroll County receives approximately 41.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Che Fruit to ensure they mature before fall.
Carroll County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.8-6.8
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Carroll County
How your county's soil matches Che Fruit's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.8–6.8) overlaps with Che Fruit's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Carroll County is excellent for Che Fruit — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Che Fruit.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.1%) — Che Fruit will thrive.
How to Plant Che Fruit
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 3.6" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 5.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 4.3" | 5.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 4.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 4.3" | 3.4" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 3.2" | 1.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 2.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Carroll 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 Planting Timeline — Carroll County, IN
Che Fruit Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Transplant Outdoors | May 14 | May 14 – May 28 |
· 120" apart · Rows 144" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | — |
| May | Transplant Outdoors |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
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 6a
📆 Growing Season
176 days in Carroll County
Growing Tips for Che Fruit in Carroll County
Direct sow Che Fruit outdoors after April 23 in Carroll County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your 176.0-day growing season in Carroll County is tight for Che Fruit (1095.0-1825.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.
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 →
Che Fruit in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Che Fruit in Carroll County, IN?
Carroll County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Che Fruit planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Carroll County, IN?
Carroll County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 16.
Your Carroll County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Carroll 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.