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When to Plant Persimmon in Powell County, KY

Powell County, Kentucky Zone 7a April

Top priorities for Powell County, Kentucky gardeners in April

Welcome to April in Zone 7a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost April 16
Avg. first frost October 24
Soil temp (4") 43°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 13 hrs
Get ahead of May
  • Transplants going out: persimmon

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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.

Powell County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 3,812 feet, Powell County receives approximately 41.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Persimmon during the growing season.

Powell County, KY (Zone 7a) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Powell County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 25

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 Powell County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–7.0) overlaps with Persimmon's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Persimmon.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.1%). 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
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

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 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Powell 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 ~26,462 GDD — county provides 2,769 GDD May not mature

Persimmon Planting Timeline — Powell County, KY

Persimmon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 7 May 7 – May 21

· 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 · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

1095–2555 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

191 days in Powell County

Growing Tips for Persimmon in Powell County

Direct sow Persimmon outdoors after April 16 in Powell County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 191.0-day growing season in Powell 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 Powell County, KY?

Powell County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Persimmon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Powell County, KY?

Powell County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 24.

🌱

Your Powell County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Powell 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 Powell County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.

Sources & credits

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