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When to Plant Quince in Bannock County, ID

Bannock County, Idaho Zone 6a May

Top priorities for Bannock County, Idaho gardeners in May

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost May 23
Avg. first frost September 24
Soil temp (4") 42°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.4 hrs
A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
  • Transplants going out: quince

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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.

Bannock County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 23 and the first fall frost is September 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 124 days.

At an elevation of 5,637 feet, Bannock County receives approximately 13.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Quince to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Quince successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Bannock County, ID (Zone 6a) Short season
124 days
Last Spring Frost May 23
124 growing days
First Fall Frost September 24

Bannock County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jul 9

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 Bannock County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–8.1) overlaps with Quince's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Bannock County is excellent for Quince — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

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
0.4″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 737 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.9" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.1" 3.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Bannock County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — 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" — every day above 50°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 ~17,885 GDD — county provides 1,519 GDD May not mature

Quince Planting Timeline — Bannock County, ID

Quince Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 13 Jun 13 – Jun 27

· 120" apart · Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

1095–1825 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

124 days in Bannock County

Growing Tips for Quince in Bannock County

Direct sow Quince outdoors after May 23 in Bannock County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 124.0-day growing season in Bannock County is tight for Quince (1095.0-1825.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Bannock County receives only 13" of rain annually. Quince needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Bannock County, ID?

Bannock County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 23. Plan your Quince planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bannock County, ID?

Bannock County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 23 and first fall frost is September 24.

🌱

Your Bannock County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Bannock County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Bannock County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.