When to plant Quince?

Quince thrives in full sun and prefers loamy soil that is fertile, moisture-retentive yet well-drained. Choose a sheltered spot away from late-spring frosts, which can damage the blossom and reduce your harvest. Avoid exposed sites and heavy clay that stays waterlogged in winter. Plant bare-root quince trees between November and March, ideally during mild, frost-free spells when the soil is workable. Container-grown specimens can go in at any time of year, but autumn and early spring planting gives roots time to establish before summer. Space trees 400 cm apart to allow for their mature spread of 3–5 metres; quince grows into a broad, open-crowned tree that needs room to develop. Prepare the planting site by digging a hole roughly twice the width of the root ball and deep enough so the soil mark on the stem sits level with the surrounding ground. Break up compacted soil at the base and sides of the hole. If your soil is poor, work in a bucketful of well-rotted compost or manure, but avoid adding fertiliser directly at planting time. Position the tree so the graft union (the knobbly bulge low on the trunk) sits just above soil level. Backfill with the excavated soil, firming gently with your heel as you go to eliminate air pockets. Water thoroughly after planting—give at least 10 litres—even if the soil feels damp. Apply a 5–7 cm layer of organic mulch (compost, bark chips, or well-rotted manure) around the base, keeping it clear of the trunk to prevent rot. Stake young trees with a short, angled stake and a flexible tree tie to prevent wind rock while roots establish.