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When to Plant Quince in Thayer County, NE

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.

Thayer County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 176 days.

At an elevation of 531 feet, Thayer County receives approximately 27.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Quince to ensure they mature before fall.

Thayer County, NE (Zone 6a) Moderate season
176 days
Last Spring Frost April 21
176 growing days
First Fall Frost October 14

Thayer County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

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 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Thayer County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Quince Planting Timeline — Thayer County, NE

Quince Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 12 May 12 – May 26

· 120" apart · Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

1095–1825 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

176 days in Thayer County

Growing Tips for Thayer County

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 Thayer County, NE?

Thayer County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Quince planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Thayer County, NE?

Thayer County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 14.

🌱

Your Thayer County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Thayer 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 Thayer County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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