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When to Plant Medlar in Cimarron County, OK

Cimarron County, Oklahoma Zone 6b May

Your May gardening checklist

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

Avg. last frost April 19
Avg. first frost October 18
Soil temp (4") 64°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Transplant medlar outside

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

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Medlar is a small ornamental tree producing unusual open-ended fruits that must be bletted (softened by frost) before eating. The flavor is complex, like spiced apple butter.

Cimarron County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 182 days.

At an elevation of 1,132 feet, Cimarron County receives approximately 28.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Medlar during the growing season.

Cimarron County, OK (Zone 6b) Moderate season
182 days
Last Spring Frost April 19
182 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Cimarron County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 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 Cimarron County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.4) is within Medlar's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Cimarron County is excellent for Medlar — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Medlar.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.5%). Annual compost additions will help Medlar.

How to Plant Medlar

120"
Between Plants
144"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,248 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Medlar

Medlar needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Medlar Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Cimarron County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Medlar 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.

Medlar needs ~24,455 GDD — county provides 3,048 GDD May not mature

Medlar Planting Timeline — Cimarron County, OK

Medlar Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 10 May 10 – May 24

· 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 6b

📆 Growing Season

182 days in Cimarron County

Growing Tips for Medlar in Cimarron County

Direct sow Medlar outdoors after April 19 in Cimarron County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 182.0-day growing season in Cimarron County is tight for Medlar (1095.0-1825.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

General growing tips

Plant in well-drained soil. Medlars are self-fertile and need minimal pruning. Harvest after the first frost and allow to soften (blet) indoors for 2-3 weeks before eating.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Medlar in Cimarron County, OK?

Cimarron County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 19. Plan your Medlar planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cimarron County, OK?

Cimarron County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and first fall frost is October 18.

🌱

Your Cimarron County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Cimarron 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.

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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 Cimarron County, OK. 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.