Blog

When to Plant Quince in Knox 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.

Knox 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 1,847 feet, Knox County receives approximately 51.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93Β°F, providing good warmth for Quince during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Quince root diseases.

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

Knox County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 4

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 Knox County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4–7.2) is within Quince's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.9%). 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 160 gal / 100 sq ft

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 β€” 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb β€” 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" πŸ’§ Light watering
Apr 4.3" 6.4" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 6.7" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 7.3" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 6.5" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.9" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 5.4" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.3" 1" πŸ’§ Light watering
Nov 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec β€” 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Knox County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall β€” 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" β€” every day above 50Β°F 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 ~28,835 GDD — county provides 4,601 GDD May not mature

Quince Planting Timeline β€” Knox County, TX

Quince Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 – Apr 28

Β· 120" apart Β· Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

β˜€οΈ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

πŸ’§ Water

1"/week Β· Only during dry spells

πŸ“… Days to Maturity

1095–1825 days

πŸ§ͺ Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 Β· Your soil: ideal

πŸ—ΊοΈ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

πŸ“† Growing Season

233 days in Knox County

Growing Tips for Quince in Knox County

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

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

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

What planting zone is Knox County, TX?

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

🌱

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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