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When to Plant New Zealand Spinach in Cameron Parish, LA

New Zealand spinach is a heat-tolerant ground-cover plant with thick, triangular leaves that taste similar to true spinach. It thrives in hot weather when regular spinach bolts.

Cameron Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 6 and the first fall frost is December 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 312 days.

At an elevation of 300 feet, Cameron Parish receives approximately 55.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so New Zealand Spinach may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but New Zealand Spinach will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent New Zealand Spinach root diseases.

Cameron Parish, LA (Zone 9a) Year-round
312 days
Last Spring Frost February 6
312 growing days
First Fall Frost December 15

Cameron Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (227 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 11 Transplant: Jan 29 🍅 Harvest: Mar 26 – Apr 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (221 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 26 Transplant: Feb 13 🍅 Harvest: Apr 10 – May 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (204 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 23 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jun 5

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
New Zealand Spinach needs ~1,328 GDD — county provides 6,651 GDD Excellent fit

New Zealand Spinach Planting Timeline โ€” Cameron Parish, LA

New Zealand Spinach Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 26 Dec 26 โ€“ Jan 9
Transplant Outdoors February 13 Feb 13 โ€“ Feb 27
Direct Sow February 6 Feb 6 โ€“ Feb 27
Harvest April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ May 8

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March โ€”
April Harvest
May Harvest
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December Start Indoors

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

55โ€“70 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 9a

Growing Season

312 days

Growing Tips for Cameron Parish

Soak seeds overnight before planting. Direct sow after last frost. Pinch growing tips regularly to encourage bushy growth and tender new leaves.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant New Zealand Spinach in Cameron Parish, LA?

Cameron Parish is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 6. Plan your New Zealand Spinach planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cameron Parish, LA?

Cameron Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 6 and first fall frost is December 15.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Cameron Parish, LA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.