STORE SEEDS IN FRIDGE - PLANT ASAP IN FALL (Oct/Nov). Paw Paw trees can be grown in USDA zones 5-8. Store seeds temporarily in the refrigerator, in a plastic bag, in a moist towel until you can plant them – do not let them dry out.
Plant 1 inch deep and 8-30 feet apart. Alternatively, plant 2-3 seeds in patches at least 8 feet apart - when plants emerge in summer (June), thin each “patch” to the strongest seedling. Protect young trees from deer with fencing (mature trees are deer resistant). Paw Paw trees like a lot of water so be sure to water them weekly. You will need at least 2 trees for pollination. Trees will eventually make suckers (you can mow the suckers if you don’t want them). From seed, you should be eating fruit in just 4-6 years. Fruit may be eaten by raccoons and squirrels – protect them with a motion activated sprinkler (called a “Scarecrow”).
Harvest fruit when begin to turn soft.
Collect seeds from fully ripened fruit. Plant seeds immediately or store in wet towels in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to 1 month - do not let the seeds dry out! Plant seeds in the fall.
