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When to Plant Persimmon in Golden Valley County, ND

Golden Valley County, North Dakota Zone 4a May

What to do in May

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Golden Valley County, North Dakota this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost May 14
Avg. first frost September 22
Soil temp (4") 54°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.8 hrs
Coming up in June — start thinking about
  • 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.

Golden Valley County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is September 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 131 days.

At an elevation of 982 feet, Golden Valley County receives approximately 26 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Persimmon to ensure they mature before fall.

Golden Valley County, ND (Zone 4a) Short season
131 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
131 growing days
First Fall Frost September 22

Golden Valley County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 24

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 Golden Valley County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.6) overlaps with Persimmon's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — Persimmon will thrive.

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
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 233 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Golden Valley 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 1,703 GDD May not mature

Persimmon Planting Timeline — Golden Valley County, ND

Persimmon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 11 Jun 11 – Jun 25

· 120" apart · Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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 4a

📆 Growing Season

131 days in Golden Valley County

Growing Tips for Persimmon in Golden Valley County

Direct sow Persimmon outdoors after May 14 in Golden Valley County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 131.0-day growing season in Golden Valley 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 Golden Valley County, ND?

Golden Valley County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Persimmon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Golden Valley County, ND?

Golden Valley County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is September 22.

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Your Golden Valley County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Golden Valley County (Zone 4a). 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 Golden Valley County, ND. 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.