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When to Plant Quince in Clark County, ID

Clark County, Idaho Zone 5b May

Your May game plan for Clark County, Idaho

Each item below is timed to Clark County, Idaho's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost June 7
Avg. first frost September 10
Soil temp (4") 32°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.6 hrs
Before June arrives, get these ready
  • 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.

Clark County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 7 and the first fall frost is September 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 95 days.

At an elevation of 7,493 feet, Clark County receives approximately 21.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Quince to ensure they mature before fall.

Clark County, ID (Zone 5b) Very short season
95 days
Last Spring Frost June 7
95 growing days
First Fall Frost September 10

Clark County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jul 12

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 Clark County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–7.8) overlaps with Quince's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Clark 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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 32 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Clark 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 ~16,790 GDD — county provides 1,092 GDD May not mature

Quince Planting Timeline — Clark County, ID

Quince Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 28 Jun 28 – Jul 12

· 120" apart · Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

1095–1825 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

95 days in Clark County

Growing Tips for Quince in Clark County

Direct sow Quince outdoors after June 07 in Clark County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 95.0-day growing season in Clark County is tight for Quince (1095.0-1825.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Clark County receives only 22" 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 Clark County, ID?

Clark County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of June 7. Plan your Quince planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clark County, ID?

Clark County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 7 and first fall frost is September 10.

🌱

Your Clark County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Clark County (Zone 5b). 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 Clark 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.