Medlar Planting Guide
Planting medlar in May
Some notes on medlar care that hold up no matter where you garden — then check your zone for specifics.
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How to water medlar
About an inch of water a week keeps medlar happy. Check your weather forecast before watering — skip if rain is coming.
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Where to put medlar
South-facing beds are ideal for medlar. Shade from nearby trees or fences costs real production.
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Check your local forecast before planting
Your zone determines the exact week to plant medlar. Pick your county below and we'll line everything up against your frost dates.
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.
Mespilus germanica · Fruit · Rosaceae family · 1095–1825 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Medlar Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Medlar?
Medlar Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Medlar planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 4a | — | — | Jun 3 | — |
| Zone 4b | — | — | May 29 | — |
| Zone 5a | — | — | May 16 | — |
| Zone 5b | — | — | May 9 | — |
| Zone 6a | — | — | May 1 | — |
| Zone 6b | — | — | Apr 24 | — |
| Zone 7a | — | — | Apr 15 | — |
| Zone 7b | — | — | Apr 8 | — |
| Zone 8a | — | — | Mar 29 | — |
| Zone 8b | — | — | Mar 18 | — |
Why are some columns showing "—"?
Start Indoors shows "—" because Medlar is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.
Direct Sow shows "—" because Medlar benefits from being started indoors first, then transplanted after the last frost.
How to Plant Medlar
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.
🧪 Soil pH
6 – 7.5
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 4a – 8b
📅 Days to Maturity
1095–1825 days
Long-season crop. Start indoors in cold climates to get a head start.
👪 Plant Family
Rosaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Rosaceae family crops grew last year.
How Much Medlar to Grow
Medlar takes 1095–1825 days to mature. In most zones you'll get one harvest per season, so plant enough to last.
Companion Planting for Medlar
✅ Good Companions
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Medlar
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.
Saving Medlar Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Sharp bypass pruners for clean cuts on fruit trees, berry bushes, and woody herbs.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Seed Saving & Storage Guide
Most saved seeds go bad before next season. This shows exactly when to pick, how to dry, and where to store seeds from 200 plants so yours don't.
- 200 plants, step-by-step: life cycle, pollination type, isolation
- Exact temperature + humidity ranges that keep seeds viable
- Bonus: searchable Google Sheets tracker + custom GPT assistant
Medlar by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Medlar?
Medlar (Mespilus germanica) takes 1095 to 1825 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Medlar grow in?
Medlar can be grown in USDA zones 4a through 8b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Medlar need?
Growing Medlar requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.5.