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When to Plant Quince in Clay 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.

Clay County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 235 days.

At an elevation of 3,266 feet, Clay County receives approximately 64.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Quince during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Quince root diseases.

Clay County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
235 days
Last Spring Frost March 21
235 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Clay County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 6

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Quince needs ~26,645 GDD — county provides 4,288 GDD May not mature

Quince Planting Timeline โ€” Clay County, TX

Quince Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ Apr 25

ยท 120" apart ยท Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
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 7b

Growing Season

235 days

Growing Tips for Clay 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 Clay County, TX?

Clay County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 21. Plan your Quince planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clay County, TX?

Clay County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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