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When to Plant New Zealand Spinach in Crockett County, TN

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.

Crockett County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 211 days.

At an elevation of 2,308 feet, Crockett County receives approximately 43.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for New Zealand Spinach during the growing season.

Crockett County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
211 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
211 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Crockett County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (114 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (113 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (118 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Jul 24

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 263 gal / 100 sq ft
New Zealand Spinach needs ~1,188 GDD — county provides 4,009 GDD Excellent fit

New Zealand Spinach Planting Timeline โ€” Crockett County, TN

New Zealand Spinach Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 11 Feb 11 โ€“ Feb 25
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ Apr 29
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 29
Harvest June 10 Jun 10 โ€“ Jul 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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 7a

Growing Season

211 days

Growing Tips for Crockett County

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 Crockett County, TN?

Crockett County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your New Zealand Spinach planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Crockett County, TN?

Crockett County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is October 29.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Crockett County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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