Pick quince when the fruit is golden and fragrant, before frost. Store undamaged fruit in a single layer, away from apples.
Pick quince when it is golden and fragrant, before frost
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | Late summer into fall, when skin turns from pale yellow to gold and the fruit smells floral | Do not wait for the fruit to soften on the tree |
| Frost | Pick before the first freeze | Do not leave ripe fruit through a hard frost |
| How | Lift and twist, or snip with a short stem attached | Do not yank or drop the fruit |
| Handle | Treat it as bruise-prone even though it is hard | Do not pile fruit in a deep bucket |
Leave fruit on the tree as long as you can so the perfume builds, then pick before frost. [1] quince is ready when most of the fuzz has worn off, the skin is golden, and the stem lets go with a lift and twist. If you have to tug hard, wait a few days. [2] The flesh stays firm. That is normal. Cook it later; do not wait for it to eat like a pear on the branch. [3] Snip a short stem if the fruit will not twist free. Handle it gently because a bruise will not store. [4] Site and watering live on How to Grow Quince.
When do I pick quince?
Pick when the fruit is golden and fragrant, and before frost. Do not wait for it to soften on the tree.
Store them in a single layer for six to eight weeks
- Pick only sound fruit. Skip bruises, splits, and soft spots.
- Set the fruit in a shallow tray in a cool, dark place so the pieces do not touch. Do not wrap them.
- Keep quince away from apples, pears, and other fruit. The perfume taints whatever sits next to it.
- Let them mellow six to eight weeks before you cook. They will keep two to three months if the tray stays cool.
- Turn the fruit now and then, and use any piece that starts to soften.
How long do quinces keep after I pick them?
Plan on six to eight weeks of mellowing, and up to two or three months in a cool, dark tray. Keep them away from other fruit.
What fails if you pick green or store them with apples
Green fruit has little perfume and a long, bland wait. Fruit left through a freeze turns watery and rots. A deep pile bruises the bottom layer. Stored next to apples, the quince smell soaks into the other fruit, and the apples speed the quince along.
Do I eat quince raw?
Most U.S. crops stay hard and astringent until you cook them. Cook the fruit after it has mellowed.
If frost is coming and the fruit is still pale, pick the sound ones and let them mellow in a tray.
FAQ
How do I know a quince is ripe enough to pick?
Skin gold, a strong floral smell, and a stem that twists off. Fuzz is mostly gone. The flesh should still be firm.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Royal Horticultural Society -
https://www.rhs.org.uk/fruit/quince/grow-your-own - [2] Master Gardeners Association of BC -
https://mgabc.org/2022/09/03/how-will-i-know-my-quince-is-ripe/ - [3] Fine Gardening -
https://www.finegardening.com/article/the-ultimate-guide-to-growing-quince-and-using-their-fruit - [4] GrowVeg -
https://www.growveg.com/plants/us-and-canada/how-to-grow-quince/
This note is part of Cydonia Guides.
More harvest timing notes by plant live in Harvesting Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors