Quince tree: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
How to plant a quince tree?
Choose a sunny, warm, sheltered position for your quince tree. Deep, fertile soil that retains moisture suits it, provided water does not remain standing around the roots. Check the expected mature size of the variety and rootstock so you can allow enough space. Plant a bare-root tree during dormancy, from autumn to early spring, avoiding frozen or waterlogged ground. A container-grown tree can be planted over a wider period if you can keep it watered, but avoid very hot, dry spells.
Water the root ball or briefly soak bare roots immediately before planting. Make a broad hole, but only deep enough to keep the root collar at ground level. Leave the graft union above the soil. Spread the roots without bending them back and retain healthy roots: trim only a genuinely damaged end. Refill with the excavated soil and firm gently.
Water thoroughly, then add a stake if the young tree needs support. Use a flexible tie and check it as the trunk grows. Mulch around the base, leaving the trunk clear. Monitor moisture through the first few growing seasons, particularly in summer. For growing in a pot, select a suitable rootstock and a large container with effective drainage.
How do you prune a quince tree?
How to care for this plant
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Maintain the mulch
Check the ground cover around the base. If the mulch has thinned, top it up on moist, well-drained soil after removing competing weeds. Keep the trunk, crown and graft union clear; add nothing if the existing layer is sufficient.
When and how should you harvest quinces?
