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When to Plant Quince in Chatham County, GA

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.

Chatham County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and the first fall frost is November 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 263 days.

At an elevation of 398 feet, Chatham County receives approximately 51.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, 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.

Chatham County, GA (Zone 8b) Long season
263 days
Last Spring Frost March 5
263 growing days
First Fall Frost November 23

Chatham County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5-6.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Mar 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Mar 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 14

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Quince needs ~26,645 GDD — county provides 4,799 GDD May not mature

Quince Planting Timeline โ€” Chatham County, GA

Quince Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 9

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

263 days

Growing Tips for Chatham 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 Chatham County, GA?

Chatham County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 5. Plan your Quince planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Chatham County, GA?

Chatham County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and first fall frost is November 23.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Chatham 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 Chatham County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.