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When to Plant Persimmon in Prince William County, VA

Prince William County, Virginia Zone 7a May

Your May planting checklist for Prince William County, Virginia

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Prince William County, Virginia this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 13
Avg. first frost October 26
Soil temp (4") 69°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Move persimmon into the garden

    Plant tomatoes deep — bury the stem up to the first true leaves to grow extra roots. Everything else goes in at the same depth it grew in the tray.

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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.

Prince William County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 196 days.

At an elevation of 372 feet, Prince William County receives approximately 46.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Persimmon during the growing season.

Prince William County, VA (Zone 7a) Moderate season
196 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
196 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26
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Prince William County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 29

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 Prince William County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8–7.0) overlaps with Persimmon's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). 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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 17 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 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Prince William 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 ~30,569 GDD — county provides 3,283 GDD May not mature

Persimmon Planting Timeline — Prince William County, VA

Persimmon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 4 May 4 – May 18

· 120" apart · Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

1095–2555 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

196 days in Prince William County

Growing Tips for Persimmon in Prince William County

Direct sow Persimmon outdoors after April 13 in Prince William County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 196.0-day growing season in Prince William 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 Prince William County, VA?

Prince William County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Persimmon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Prince William County, VA?

Prince William County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 26.

🌱

Your Prince William County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Prince William County (Zone 7a). 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 Prince William County, VA. 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.