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When to Plant New Zealand Spinach in Grundy 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.

Grundy County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 1,205 feet, Grundy County receives approximately 47.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for New Zealand Spinach during the growing season.

Grundy County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Grundy County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Jul 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Jul 26

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 47 gal / 100 sq ft
New Zealand Spinach needs ~1,188 GDD — county provides 3,914 GDD Excellent fit

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

New Zealand Spinach Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 4
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 โ€“ Jul 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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

206 days

Growing Tips for Grundy 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 Grundy County, TN?

Grundy County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your New Zealand Spinach planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grundy County, TN?

Grundy County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 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 Grundy County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Grundy County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.