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When to Plant Quince in Cottle 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.

Cottle County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 224 days.

At an elevation of 3,553 feet, Cottle County receives approximately 59.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 97ยฐF, 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.

Cottle County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
224 days
Last Spring Frost March 30
224 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

Cottle County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.5-8.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 20
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 Cottle County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.5โ€“8.9) is more alkaline than Quince prefers (6.0โ€“7.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Cottle 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 (1.1%). 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
1.1″/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 ~33,215 GDD — county provides 5,096 GDD May not mature

Quince Planting Timeline โ€” Cottle County, TX

Quince Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 4

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 Natural rainfall sufficient

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

224 days in Cottle County

Growing Tips for Quince in Cottle County

Direct sow Quince outdoors after March 30 in Cottle County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Cottle 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 97ยฐF in Cottle County, provide afternoon shade for Quince and water deeply in the morning.

Your 224.0-day growing season in Cottle 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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Quince in Cottle County, TX?

Cottle County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 30. Plan your Quince planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cottle County, TX?

Cottle County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 30 and first fall frost is November 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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