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When to plant Che Fruit in Floyd County, IA

In Floyd County, Che Fruit is a spring-only crop. Plant May 22–June 5 once soil hits 50°F.

When to Plant Che Fruit in Floyd County, IA

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.

Floyd County, Iowa is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 159 days.

At an elevation of 714 feet, Floyd County receives approximately 32.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Che Fruit to ensure they mature before fall.

Floyd County, IA (Zone 5a) Moderate season
159 days
Last Spring Frost May 1
159 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Floyd County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Che Fruit Planting Timeline — Floyd County, IA

Che Fruit Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 22 May 22 – Jun 5

· 120" apart · Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

1095–1825 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

159 days in Floyd County

Growing Tips for Floyd County

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 Floyd County, IA?

Floyd County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Che Fruit planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Floyd County, IA?

Floyd County, Iowa is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 7.

When should I plant Che Fruit in Floyd County, IA?

In Floyd County, IA, plant Che Fruit after the last frost (around May 1) and before the first frost (around October 7). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Floyd County, IA for Che Fruit?

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

Can Che Fruit grow in Floyd County's climate?

Yes — Che Fruit grows well in Floyd County's temperate climate. Floyd County averages a 159-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 1 and first frost around October 7.

🌱

Your Floyd County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Floyd 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 Floyd County, IA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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