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When to Plant Quince in Jefferson 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.

Jefferson County, Florida is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost is November 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 257 days.

At an elevation of 105 feet, Jefferson County receives approximately 56 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Quince may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. 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.

Jefferson County, FL (Zone 8b) Long season
257 days
Last Spring Frost March 9
257 growing days
First Fall Frost November 21

Jefferson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.2-5.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Mar 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Mar 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 17

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 880 gal / 100 sq ft
Quince needs ~31,025 GDD — county provides 5,461 GDD May not mature

Quince Planting Timeline โ€” Jefferson County, FL

Quince Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 13

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

257 days

Growing Tips for Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, FL?

Jefferson County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 9. Plan your Quince planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jefferson County, FL?

Jefferson County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 9 and first fall frost is November 21.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

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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 Jefferson County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.