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When to Plant Quince in Victoria 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.

Victoria County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 26 and the first fall frost is November 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 275 days.

At an elevation of 3,908 feet, Victoria County receives approximately 57.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 101ยฐF, so Quince may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Quince root diseases.

Victoria County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
275 days
Last Spring Frost February 26
275 growing days
First Fall Frost November 28

Victoria County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Feb 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Mar 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 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 Victoria County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7โ€“7.4) is within Quince's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Quince.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). Annual compost additions will help 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
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,051 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 โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Mar 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Apr 4.3" 5.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 10" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 8.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 6.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 6.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 5.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Dec โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Febโ€“Nov in Victoria 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 ~37,595 GDD — county provides 7,107 GDD May not mature

Quince Planting Timeline โ€” Victoria County, TX

Quince Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26

ยท 120" apart ยท Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Transplant Outdoors
April โ€”
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 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

1095โ€“1825 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

275 days in Victoria County

Growing Tips for Quince in Victoria County

Direct sow Quince outdoors after February 26 in Victoria County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 101ยฐF in Victoria County, provide afternoon shade for Quince and water deeply in the morning.

Your 276.0-day growing season in Victoria 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 Victoria County, TX?

Victoria County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 26. Plan your Quince planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Victoria County, TX?

Victoria County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 26 and first fall frost is November 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Victoria County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Victoria County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.