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When to Plant Medlar in Washakie County, WY

Washakie County, Wyoming Zone 4b May

Your May planting checklist for Washakie County, Wyoming

Each item below is timed to Washakie County, Wyoming's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost May 10
Avg. first frost October 2
Soil temp (4") 35°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.5 hrs
Looking ahead to June
  • Transplants going out: medlar

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Medlar is a small ornamental tree producing unusual open-ended fruits that must be bletted (softened by frost) before eating. The flavor is complex, like spiced apple butter.

Washakie County, Wyoming is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 145 days.

At an elevation of 6,932 feet, Washakie County receives approximately 13.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Medlar to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Medlar successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Washakie County, WY (Zone 4b) Short season
145 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
145 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

Washakie County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-8.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 16

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 Washakie County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–8.2) overlaps with Medlar's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Medlar.

How to Plant Medlar

120"
Between Plants
144"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.4″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 961 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Medlar

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

Month Medlar Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.9" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.1" 3.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 1.3" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1.1" 3.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.2" 3.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Medlar 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.

Medlar needs ~18,980 GDD — county provides 1,885 GDD May not mature

Medlar Planting Timeline — Washakie County, WY

Medlar Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 7 Jun 7 – Jun 21

· 120" apart · Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

1095–1825 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

145 days in Washakie County

Growing Tips for Medlar in Washakie County

Direct sow Medlar outdoors after May 10 in Washakie County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 145.0-day growing season in Washakie County is tight for Medlar (1095.0-1825.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Washakie County receives only 13" of rain annually. Medlar needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Plant in well-drained soil. Medlars are self-fertile and need minimal pruning. Harvest after the first frost and allow to soften (blet) indoors for 2-3 weeks before eating.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Medlar in Washakie County, WY?

Washakie County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Medlar planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Washakie County, WY?

Washakie County, Wyoming is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 2.

🌱

Your Washakie County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Washakie County (Zone 4b). 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 Washakie County, WY. 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.