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When to Plant Persimmon in Livingston County, NY

Livingston County, New York Zone 6a May

May in the garden — Livingston County, New York

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Livingston County, New York this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost May 9
Avg. first frost October 12
Soil temp (4") 60°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.4 hrs
  1. Plant out persimmon

    Water the tray well an hour before you transplant. Roots slide out cleanly and settle in faster.

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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.

Livingston County, New York is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 156 days.

At an elevation of 748 feet, Livingston County receives approximately 46.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Persimmon to ensure they mature before fall.

Livingston County, NY (Zone 6a) Moderate season
156 days
Last Spring Frost May 9
156 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12
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Livingston County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 16

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 Livingston County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.8–6.2) is more acidic than Persimmon prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Livingston 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 (4.0%). 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
1.3″/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 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Livingston 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 ~23,725 GDD — county provides 2,028 GDD May not mature

Persimmon Planting Timeline — Livingston County, NY

Persimmon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 30 May 30 – Jun 13

· 120" apart · Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June Transplant Outdoors
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 6a

📆 Growing Season

156 days in Livingston County

Growing Tips for Persimmon in Livingston County

Direct sow Persimmon outdoors after May 09 in Livingston County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 156.0-day growing season in Livingston 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 Livingston County, NY?

Livingston County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 9. Plan your Persimmon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Livingston County, NY?

Livingston County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 9 and first fall frost is October 12.

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Your Livingston County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Livingston 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 Livingston 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.