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When to Plant Quince in Sabine Parish, LA

Sabine Parish, Louisiana Zone 8b May

What to do in May

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Sabine Parish, Louisiana this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost March 12
Avg. first frost November 15
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs

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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.

Sabine Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 12 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 248 days.

At an elevation of 456 feet, Sabine Parish receives approximately 51.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, 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.

Sabine Parish, LA (Zone 8b) Long season
248 days
Last Spring Frost March 12
248 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Sabine Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Mar 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 28

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 Sabine Parish

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.2) is within Quince's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). 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
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 271 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 5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Dec 4.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Sabine Parish). 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 ~31,025 GDD — county provides 5,270 GDD May not mature

Quince Planting Timeline — Sabine Parish, LA

Quince Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 2 Apr 2 – Apr 16

· 120" apart · Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May
June
July
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: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

248 days in Sabine Parish

Growing Tips for Quince in Sabine Parish

Direct sow Quince outdoors after March 12 in Sabine Parish when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 248.0-day growing season in Sabine Parish 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 Sabine Parish, LA?

Sabine Parish is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 12. Plan your Quince planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sabine Parish, LA?

Sabine Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 12 and first fall frost is November 15.

🌱

Your Sabine Parish Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Sabine Parish (Zone 8b). 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 Sabine Parish, LA. 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.