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When to Plant Persimmon in Dutton, VA

Dutton, VA Zone 8a June

Your June gardening checklist

Your garden in Dutton, VA is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this June.

Avg. last frost April 1
Avg. first frost November 4
Soil temp (4") 78°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs

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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.

Dutton, Virginia is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is November 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 217 days.

At an elevation of 817 feet, Gloucester County receives approximately 52.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°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.

Dutton, VA (Zone 8a) Long season
217 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
217 growing days
First Fall Frost November 4

Dutton Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Persimmon Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 9

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 Dutton

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.5) is more acidic than Persimmon prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Gloucester County is excellent for Persimmon — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Persimmon.

How to Plant Persimmon

120"
Between Plants
144"
Between Rows

Persimmon Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/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 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 5.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Dec 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Gloucester County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — 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" — 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.

Persimmon needs ~33,306 GDD — county provides 3,960 GDD May not mature

Persimmon Planting Timeline — Dutton, VA

Persimmon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 – May 6

· 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 · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

1095–2555 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

217 days in Gloucester County

Growing Tips for Persimmon in Dutton

Direct sow Persimmon outdoors after April 01 in Gloucester County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 217.0-day growing season in Gloucester 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 →

🌱

Your Gloucester County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Gloucester 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 Gloucester County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.