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When to Plant Quince in Castro County, TX

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.

Castro County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

At an elevation of 3,838 feet, Castro County receives approximately 47.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam 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.

Castro County, TX (Zone 7a) Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Castro County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.5-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 22

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Quince needs ~31,025 GDD — county provides 4,101 GDD May not mature

Quince Planting Timeline โ€” Castro County, TX

Quince Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 19

ยท 120" apart ยท Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors
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 7a

Growing Season

193 days

Growing Tips for Castro 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 Castro County, TX?

Castro County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Quince planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Castro County, TX?

Castro County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 24.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Castro County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Castro County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.