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When to Plant Che Fruit in Okmulgee County, OK

Okmulgee County, Oklahoma Zone 7b May

Your May planting checklist for Okmulgee County, Oklahoma

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

Avg. last frost April 3
Avg. first frost November 2
Soil temp (4") 67°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.9 hrs

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Che fruit (Chinese mulberry) is a small, cold-hardy tree producing round, red fruits with a sweet, watermelon-fig flavor. It is an underutilized fruit tree with great potential.

Okmulgee County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 213 days.

At an elevation of 657 feet, Okmulgee County receives approximately 28.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Che Fruit during the growing season.

Okmulgee County, OK (Zone 7b) Long season
213 days
Last Spring Frost April 3
213 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Okmulgee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 6

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 Okmulgee County

How your county's soil matches Che Fruit's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.6) overlaps with Che Fruit's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Okmulgee County is excellent for Che Fruit — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

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

How to Plant Che Fruit

120"
Between Plants
144"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 979 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Che Fruit

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

Month Che Fruit Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 4.3" 1" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Che Fruit 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.

Che Fruit needs ~26,645 GDD — county provides 3,887 GDD May not mature

Che Fruit Planting Timeline — Okmulgee County, OK

Che Fruit Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 24 Apr 24 – May 8

· 120" apart · Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

1095–1825 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

213 days in Okmulgee County

Growing Tips for Che Fruit in Okmulgee County

Direct sow Che Fruit outdoors after April 03 in Okmulgee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 213.0-day growing season in Okmulgee County is tight for Che Fruit (1095.0-1825.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

General growing tips

Plant in well-drained soil. A male pollinator is needed for seeded fruit, but seedless fruit can set parthenocarpically. Minimal pruning required. Fruits ripen in late summer.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Che Fruit in Okmulgee County, OK?

Okmulgee County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 3. Plan your Che Fruit planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Okmulgee County, OK?

Okmulgee County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and first fall frost is November 2.

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Your Okmulgee County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Okmulgee County (Zone 7b). 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 Okmulgee 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.