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When to Plant Quince in Sharp County, AR

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.

Sharp County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 221 days.

At an elevation of 674 feet, Sharp County receives approximately 50.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Quince during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Quince root diseases.

Sharp County, AR (Zone 7a) Long season
221 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
221 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Sharp County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 16
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.

Soil Compatibility in Sharp County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3โ€“7.0) overlaps with Quince's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). 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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 94 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€” 3.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 4.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec โ€” 4.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Sharp 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 ~23,360 GDD — county provides 3,536 GDD May not mature

Quince Planting Timeline โ€” Sharp County, AR

Quince Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30

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: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

221 days in Sharp County

Growing Tips for Quince in Sharp County

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

Your 221.0-day growing season in Sharp 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 Sharp County, AR?

Sharp County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Quince planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sharp County, AR?

Sharp County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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