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When to Plant Loquat in Tillman County, OK

Tillman County, Oklahoma Zone 8a May

This month in Tillman County, Oklahoma

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost April 3
Avg. first frost November 6
Soil temp (4") 68°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.8 hrs

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Loquat is an attractive evergreen tree producing clusters of small, tangy-sweet, apricot-colored fruits in late winter to early spring. It also serves as an ornamental shade tree.

Tillman County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 217 days.

At an elevation of 807 feet, Tillman County receives approximately 25.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Loquat during the growing season.

Tillman County, OK (Zone 8a) Long season
217 days
Last Spring Frost April 3
217 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Tillman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 11
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 Tillman County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.5) is within Loquat's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.6%). Annual compost additions will help Loquat.

How to Plant Loquat

120"
Between Plants
144"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 993 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Loquat

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

Month Loquat Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 4.3" 0.8" 3.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Loquat 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.

Loquat needs ~20,440 GDD — county provides 3,472 GDD May not mature

Loquat Planting Timeline — Tillman County, OK

Loquat 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

730–1825 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

217 days in Tillman County

Growing Tips for Loquat in Tillman County

Direct sow Loquat outdoors after April 03 in Tillman County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 217.0-day growing season in Tillman County is tight for Loquat (730.0-1825.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

General growing tips

Plant in a sheltered location to protect winter flowers from frost. Loquats are self-fertile but produce better with cross-pollination. Thin fruit clusters for larger individual fruits.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Loquat in Tillman County, OK?

Tillman County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 3. Plan your Loquat planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tillman County, OK?

Tillman County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 3 and first fall frost is November 6.

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Your Tillman County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Tillman County (Zone 8a). 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 Tillman 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.