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When to Plant Persimmon in Hamilton County, NY

Hamilton County, New York Zone 4b May

May to-do list for Hamilton County, New York

May is a pivotal month for Hamilton County, New York gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost May 20
Avg. first frost September 28
Soil temp (4") 50°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.5 hrs
To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
  • 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.

Hamilton County, New York is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 20 and the first fall frost is September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 131 days.

At an elevation of 959 feet, Hamilton County receives approximately 49.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Persimmon to ensure they mature before fall.

Hamilton County, NY (Zone 4b) Short season
131 days
Last Spring Frost May 20
131 growing days
First Fall Frost September 28
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Hamilton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 28

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 Hamilton County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.2–6.2) is more acidic than Persimmon prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Hamilton 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 (3.4%). 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
1.6″/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 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Hamilton 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 ~19,619 GDD — county provides 1,408 GDD May not mature

Persimmon Planting Timeline — Hamilton County, NY

Persimmon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 17 Jun 17 – Jul 1

· 120" apart · Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May
June Transplant Outdoors
July Transplant Outdoors
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 4b

📆 Growing Season

131 days in Hamilton County

Growing Tips for Persimmon in Hamilton County

Direct sow Persimmon outdoors after May 20 in Hamilton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 131.0-day growing season in Hamilton 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 Hamilton County, NY?

Hamilton County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 20. Plan your Persimmon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hamilton County, NY?

Hamilton County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 20 and first fall frost is September 28.

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Your Hamilton County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Hamilton County (Zone 4b). 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 Hamilton County, NY. 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.