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When to Plant Persimmon in Cooke County, TX

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.

Cooke County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 230 days.

At an elevation of 1,818 feet, Cooke County receives approximately 69.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88Β°F, providing good warmth for Persimmon during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Persimmon root diseases.

Cooke County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
230 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
230 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Cooke County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 16
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 Cooke County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.6) overlaps with Persimmon's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Cooke County is excellent for Persimmon β€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). 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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

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 β€” 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb β€” 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4.6" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 8.1" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 9.9" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 10.8" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 9.9" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 7.5" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 6.7" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" πŸ’§ Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" πŸ’§ Light watering
Dec β€” 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Cooke County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall β€” 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" β€” every day above 50Β°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 ~29,200 GDD — county provides 3,680 GDD May not mature

Persimmon Planting Timeline β€” Cooke County, TX

Persimmon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 – Apr 30

Β· 120" apart Β· Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

β˜€οΈ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

πŸ’§ Water

1"/week Β· Natural rainfall sufficient

πŸ“… Days to Maturity

1095–2555 days

πŸ§ͺ Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 Β· Your soil: acceptable

πŸ—ΊοΈ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

πŸ“† Growing Season

230 days in Cooke County

Growing Tips for Persimmon in Cooke County

Direct sow Persimmon outdoors after March 26 in Cooke County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 230.0-day growing season in Cooke 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 Cooke County, TX?

Cooke County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Persimmon planting based on this frost date β€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cooke County, TX?

Cooke County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 11.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner β€” designed to help Cooke County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Cooke County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.