Blog

When to Plant Persimmon in Cuyahoga County, OH

Cuyahoga County, Ohio Zone 6b May

May to-do list for Cuyahoga County, Ohio

Welcome to May in Zone 6b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost April 29
Avg. first frost October 20
Soil temp (4") 63°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. Move persimmon from tray to bed

    Harden off for 7 days — a little more sun each day — before planting. That's the difference between a seedling that thrives and one that stalls.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Cuyahoga County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 530 feet, Cuyahoga County receives approximately 35.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Persimmon during the growing season.

Cuyahoga County, OH (Zone 6b) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20
Share this guide:

Cuyahoga County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 7

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 Cuyahoga County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.1–6.8) is within Persimmon's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Cuyahoga 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 (3.8%). 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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 805 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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Cuyahoga 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 ~30,569 GDD — county provides 2,914 GDD May not mature

Persimmon Planting Timeline — Cuyahoga County, OH

Persimmon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 20 May 20 – Jun 3

· 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
Share this guide:

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

1095–2555 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

174 days in Cuyahoga County

Growing Tips for Persimmon in Cuyahoga County

Direct sow Persimmon outdoors after April 29 in Cuyahoga County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 174.0-day growing season in Cuyahoga 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 Cuyahoga County, OH?

Cuyahoga County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Persimmon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cuyahoga County, OH?

Cuyahoga County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 20.

🌱

Your Cuyahoga County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Cuyahoga County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Cuyahoga County, OH. 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.