Growing spinach in zone 8a
(Zone 8a = an average winter low of 10°F to 15°F.)
In USDA zone 8a, the typical last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost is November 7. Here is when to plant spinach against those dates.
Typical timing
Zone 8a planting schedule
Evidence trail
How these dates are built
Sprout applies the cited planting offsets to the typical zone 8a frost anchors. The result is a planning baseline for the zone, not a local weather forecast.
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, 2023USDA Agricultural Research Service / Oregon State University PRISM Group. Supports the USDA hardiness-zone band.
- U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Supports the median spring and fall freeze dates.
- How to Grow Spinach in Your GardenUtah State University Extension. Supports indoor seed-starting timing (derived), outdoor transplant timing (normalized), direct-sowing timing (direct), and fall direct-sowing timing (derived).
Method note
All fields. Transplants near the last frost-free date, seed 3-4 weeks earlier, 5-6 weeks to grow transplants (sow-indoors re-expressed against last frost), spacing 3 inches in rows 12 inches, depth 1/2 inch, water 1-2 inches/week (lower bound stored), aphids/slugs/flea beetles, summer bolting. Fall window converted from 'plant 50-75 days before maturity, maturity 1-2 weeks after first fall frost' at 7 days/week. USU also notes spinach overwinters under mulch if it has 4-5 true leaves late in the year.
These are zone 8a averages
Computed from 3,407 ZIP codes in zone 8a. Your town's frost dates vary; enter your ZIP for dates built on your nearest weather station.
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Put these dates to work
The plant profile covers spacing, light, water, soil, and source-backed timing details. The growing guide covers preparation, care, and harvest technique.