Quince trees, cold-weather vegetables and more to plant in the garden

Here are 5 things to do in the garden this week:

Fruits . Consider planting a quince tree (Cydonia bologna). The quince is a pome fruit, sharing that classification with apple and pear, and its pulp texture has been compared to that of a pear. However, unlike pears, which require more winter cold than Southern California experiences in order to flower and fruit, quince can grow anywhere in California. The tree is shrub-like in form and highly ornamental, reaching up to 25 feet tall, depending on variety. Although fruit is always fragrant, the flavor is generally tart but may be rendered sweet when it is turned into jam or jelly. Some varieties with a pineapple taste, such as Aromatnaya and Pineapple, are also enjoyed when eaten fresh.

Vegetables . Courtesy of the National Gardening Bur