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When to Plant Persimmon in Pawnee County, KS

Pawnee County, Kansas Zone 6b May

May to-do list for Pawnee County, Kansas

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

Avg. last frost April 18
Avg. first frost October 16
Soil temp (4") 63°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Move persimmon from tray to bed

    Pick a cloudy afternoon or evening to plant. Less transplant shock, and your seedlings will barely blink.

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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.

Pawnee County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 181 days.

At an elevation of 621 feet, Pawnee County receives approximately 34.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Persimmon during the growing season.

Pawnee County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
181 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
181 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Pawnee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 24

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 Pawnee County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–7.7) overlaps with Persimmon's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.9%). Annual compost additions will help Persimmon.

How to Plant Persimmon

120"
Between Plants
144"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 390 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 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 6.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Nov 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Pawnee 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 ~30,569 GDD — county provides 3,031 GDD May not mature

Persimmon Planting Timeline — Pawnee County, KS

Persimmon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 9 May 9 – May 23

· 120" apart · Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
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 · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

1095–2555 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

181 days in Pawnee County

Growing Tips for Persimmon in Pawnee County

Direct sow Persimmon outdoors after April 18 in Pawnee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 181.0-day growing season in Pawnee County is tight for Persimmon (1095.0-2555.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Persimmon in Pawnee County, KS?

Pawnee County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Persimmon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pawnee County, KS?

Pawnee County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 16.

🌱

Your Pawnee County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Pawnee 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 Pawnee 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.