Cool-season crop
Spinach Planting Dates from Local Freeze Normals
Plan cool-season spinach sowing before spring frost and ahead of fall freeze, with practical depth, spacing, and bolting limits.
Reviewed by Garden By ZIP Editorial Review ·
- Spacing
- 2–4 in
- Seed depth
- 0.5–0.5 in
- Typical maturity
- 35–50 days
Quick answer
Direct-sow spinach about 6–3 weeks before the last spring freeze reference. For fall, count back about 5–7 weeks from the first fall freeze reference. The planting calendar turns those offsets into local ranges.
Planting methods
Direct sowing is preferred. Spinach germinates in cool soil, and transplanting is rarely necessary for a home-garden crop.
Spacing, depth, and maturity
Sow about 1/2 inch deep and thin plants 2–4 inches apart. Baby leaves arrive earlier; a typical full crop matures in roughly 35–50 days.
Worked local-calendar example
For an April 19 last spring freeze reference, the spring range begins in early March. With an October 23 first fall freeze reference, a fall range begins in early September. This example does not override heat or soil conditions.
Common mistakes
- Waiting for warm weather and then losing quality to bolting.
- Allowing the seedbed to dry during germination.
- Confusing baby-leaf timing with full-size maturity.
Limitations
Day length, heat, cultivar, and moisture can dominate spinach performance. A freeze normal does not forecast bolting weather.