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When to Plant Che Fruit in Miami County, KS

Miami County, Kansas Zone 6b May

Your May planting checklist for Miami County, Kansas

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Miami County, Kansas this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 12
Avg. first frost October 25
Soil temp (4") 64°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Harden off and plant che fruit

    Your last frost (April 12) has passed. These warm-season crops can handle outdoor soil now.

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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.

Miami County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 196 days.

At an elevation of 689 feet, Miami County receives approximately 21.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Che Fruit during the growing season.

Miami County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
196 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
196 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25
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Miami County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 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 Miami County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.7) overlaps with Che Fruit's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.1%) — Che Fruit will thrive.

How to Plant Che Fruit

120"
Between Plants
144"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 933 gal / 100 sq ft

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 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Miami 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 ~23,360 GDD — county provides 3,136 GDD May not mature

Che Fruit Planting Timeline — Miami County, KS

Che Fruit Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 3 May 3 – May 17

· 120" apart · Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June
July
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 6b

📆 Growing Season

196 days in Miami County

Growing Tips for Che Fruit in Miami County

Direct sow Che Fruit outdoors after April 12 in Miami County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 196.0-day growing season in Miami County is tight for Che Fruit (1095.0-1825.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Miami County receives only 22" 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 Miami County, KS?

Miami County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Che Fruit planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Miami County, KS?

Miami County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 25.

🌱

Your Miami County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Miami County (Zone 6b). 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 Miami County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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