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When to Plant Persimmon in Randolph County, MO

Randolph County, Missouri Zone 6a May

This month in Randolph County, Missouri

A quick May briefing for Randolph County, Missouri gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost April 15
Avg. first frost October 18
Soil temp (4") 58°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.2 hrs
  1. Time to transplant persimmon

    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.

Randolph County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 186 days.

At an elevation of 1,243 feet, Randolph County receives approximately 33.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Persimmon during the growing season.

Randolph County, MO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
186 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
186 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18
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Randolph County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 20

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 Randolph County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.9) overlaps with Persimmon's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). 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
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 488 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Randolph 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 ~25,094 GDD — county provides 2,557 GDD May not mature

Persimmon Planting Timeline — Randolph County, MO

Persimmon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 6 May 6 – May 20

· 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 · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

1095–2555 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

186 days in Randolph County

Growing Tips for Persimmon in Randolph County

Direct sow Persimmon outdoors after April 15 in Randolph County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 186.0-day growing season in Randolph 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 Randolph County, MO?

Randolph County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Persimmon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Randolph County, MO?

Randolph County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 18.

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Your Randolph County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Randolph County (Zone 6a). 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 Randolph County, MO. 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.