Blog

When to Plant Quince in Vanderburgh County, IN

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.

Vanderburgh County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 205 days.

At an elevation of 901 feet, Vanderburgh County receives approximately 40.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Quince during the growing season.

Vanderburgh County, IN (Zone 6b) Long season
205 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
205 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Vanderburgh County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 12

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.

Soil Compatibility in Vanderburgh County

How your county's soil matches Quince's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0โ€“6.8) is within Quince's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.5).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Vanderburgh County is excellent for Quince โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.9%). Annual compost additions will help Quince.

How to Plant Quince

120"
Between Plants
144"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 382 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Quince

Quince needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Quince Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 3.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 2.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Vanderburgh County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Quince Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Quince needs ~22,265 GDD — county provides 3,126 GDD May not mature

Quince Planting Timeline โ€” Vanderburgh County, IN

Quince Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 12

ยท 120" apart ยท Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

1095โ€“1825 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

205 days in Vanderburgh County

Growing Tips for Quince in Vanderburgh County

Direct sow Quince outdoors after April 07 in Vanderburgh County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 205.0-day growing season in Vanderburgh County is tight for Quince (1095.0-1825.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Quince in Vanderburgh County, IN?

Vanderburgh County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 7. Plan your Quince planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Vanderburgh County, IN?

Vanderburgh County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is October 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Vanderburgh County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Vanderburgh County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.