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When to Plant Che Fruit in Cuming County, NE

Cuming County, Nebraska Zone 5b May

This month in Cuming County, Nebraska

Each item below is timed to Cuming County, Nebraska's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost April 22
Avg. first frost October 11
Soil temp (4") 58°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.4 hrs
  1. Plant out che fruit

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

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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.

Cuming County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 172 days.

At an elevation of 925 feet, Cuming County receives approximately 21.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Che Fruit during the growing season.

Cuming County, NE (Zone 5b) Moderate season
172 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
172 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Cuming County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 29

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 Cuming County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.2) is within Che Fruit's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Che Fruit.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.3%). Annual compost additions will help Che Fruit.

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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,198 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 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.3" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Cuming 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 ~20,075 GDD — county provides 2,365 GDD May not mature

Che Fruit Planting Timeline — Cuming County, NE

Che Fruit Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 13 May 13 – May 27

· 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 · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

1095–1825 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

172 days in Cuming County

Growing Tips for Che Fruit in Cuming County

Direct sow Che Fruit outdoors after April 22 in Cuming County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 172.0-day growing season in Cuming County is tight for Che Fruit (1095.0-1825.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Cuming County receives only 21" 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 Cuming County, NE?

Cuming County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Che Fruit planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cuming County, NE?

Cuming County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 11.

🌱

Your Cuming County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Cuming County (Zone 5b). 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 Cuming County, NE. 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.