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When to Plant Persimmon in West Feliciana Parish, LA

West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana Zone 9a May

Your May game plan for West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana

Your garden in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.

Avg. last frost February 21
Avg. first frost November 26
Soil temp (4") 71°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs

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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.

West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 21 and the first fall frost is November 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 278 days.

At an elevation of 225 feet, West Feliciana Parish receives approximately 60.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96°F, so Persimmon may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Persimmon will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Persimmon root diseases.

West Feliciana Parish, LA (Zone 9a) Year-round
278 days
Last Spring Frost February 21
278 growing days
First Fall Frost November 26
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West Feliciana Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Feb 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Mar 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Mar 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 West Feliciana Parish

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.1–6.2) is more acidic than Persimmon prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in West Feliciana Parish warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Persimmon will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Persimmon.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). 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 5.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Mar 4.3" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 6.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 6.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Nov in West Feliciana Parish). 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 ~40,150 GDD — county provides 6,138 GDD May not mature

Persimmon Planting Timeline — West Feliciana Parish, LA

Persimmon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 7 Mar 7 – Mar 21

· 120" apart · Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

278 days in West Feliciana Parish

Growing Tips for Persimmon in West Feliciana Parish

Direct sow Persimmon outdoors after February 21 in West Feliciana Parish when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in West Feliciana Parish dries quickly — mulch Persimmon with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 96°F in West Feliciana Parish, provide afternoon shade for Persimmon and water deeply in the morning.

Your 279.0-day growing season in West Feliciana Parish 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 West Feliciana Parish, LA?

West Feliciana Parish is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 21. Plan your Persimmon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is West Feliciana Parish, LA?

West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 21 and first fall frost is November 26.

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Your West Feliciana Parish Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for West Feliciana Parish (Zone 9a). 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 West Feliciana Parish, LA. 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.