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When to Plant Persimmon in Duval 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.

Duval County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 13 and the first fall frost is December 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 299 days.

At an elevation of 4,259 feet, Duval County receives approximately 55.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 102ยฐF, so Persimmon may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Persimmon root diseases.

Duval County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
299 days
Last Spring Frost February 13
299 growing days
First Fall Frost December 9

Duval County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Feb 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Feb 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Mar 22

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 Duval County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8โ€“7.3) is within Persimmon's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.1%). 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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 607 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 โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Mar 4.3" 4" 0.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Apr 4.3" 5.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 8.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 8.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 6.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 5.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Dec 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Febโ€“Dec in Duval County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” 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" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF 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 ~48,362 GDD — county provides 7,950 GDD May not mature

Persimmon Planting Timeline โ€” Duval County, TX

Persimmon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors February 27 Feb 27 โ€“ Mar 13

ยท 120" apart ยท Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

1095โ€“2555 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

299 days in Duval County

Growing Tips for Persimmon in Duval County

Direct sow Persimmon outdoors after February 13 in Duval County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 102ยฐF in Duval County, provide afternoon shade for Persimmon and water deeply in the morning.

Your 300.0-day growing season in Duval 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 Duval County, TX?

Duval County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 13. Plan your Persimmon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Duval County, TX?

Duval County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 13 and first fall frost is December 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Duval County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Duval County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.