Blog

When to Plant Quince in Gulf County, FL

Quince is a small ornamental tree producing fragrant, golden fruits that are too hard and astringent to eat raw but transform into a beautiful rose-colored paste when cooked.

Gulf County, Florida is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 25 and the first fall frost is November 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 276 days.

At an elevation of 313 feet, Gulf County receives approximately 51.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Quince during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Quince will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Quince root diseases.

Gulf County, FL (Zone 8b) Year-round
276 days
Last Spring Frost February 25
276 growing days
First Fall Frost November 28

Gulf County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.8-5.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Mar 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Mar 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 7

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,272 gal / 100 sq ft
Quince needs ~27,740 GDD — county provides 5,263 GDD May not mature

Quince Planting Timeline โ€” Gulf County, FL

Quince Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 1

ยท 120" apart ยท Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

1095โ€“1825 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 8b

Growing Season

276 days

Growing Tips for Gulf County

Plant in well-drained soil in a warm, sheltered location. Quince is self-fertile. Harvest after frost when fruit is golden and fragrant. Fire blight can be an issue; choose resistant varieties.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Quince in Gulf County, FL?

Gulf County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 25. Plan your Quince planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gulf County, FL?

Gulf County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 25 and first fall frost is November 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Gulf County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Gulf County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.