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When to Plant Quince in Coke 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.

Coke County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 233 days.

At an elevation of 3,031 feet, Coke County receives approximately 52.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, 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.

Coke County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
233 days
Last Spring Frost March 24
233 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Coke County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.5-8.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 5

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 Coke County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.5โ€“8.6) is more alkaline than Quince prefers (6.0โ€“7.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Coke County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Quince will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.0%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Quince.

How to Plant Quince

120"
Between Plants
144"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 151 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 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€” 3.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 3.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Apr 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
May 4.3" 1.1" 3.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 8.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 11.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 6.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec โ€” 3.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Coke 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 ~32,120 GDD — county provides 5,126 GDD May not mature

Quince Planting Timeline โ€” Coke County, TX

Quince Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ Apr 28

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

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: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

233 days in Coke County

Growing Tips for Quince in Coke County

Direct sow Quince outdoors after March 24 in Coke County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Coke County dries quickly โ€” mulch Quince with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 96ยฐF in Coke County, provide afternoon shade for Quince and water deeply in the morning.

Your 233.0-day growing season in Coke 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 Coke County, TX?

Coke County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 24. Plan your Quince planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Coke County, TX?

Coke County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 24 and first fall frost is November 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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