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When to Plant New Zealand Spinach in Sheboygan County, WI

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.

Sheboygan County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 173 days.

At an elevation of 710 feet, Sheboygan County receives approximately 30.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of New Zealand Spinach to ensure they mature before fall.

Sheboygan County, WI (Zone 5a) Moderate season
173 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
173 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Sheboygan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Jul 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Aug 18

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 396 gal / 100 sq ft
New Zealand Spinach needs ~812 GDD — county provides 2,249 GDD Excellent fit

New Zealand Spinach Planting Timeline โ€” Sheboygan County, WI

New Zealand Spinach Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 2 Mar 2 โ€“ Mar 16
Transplant Outdoors May 11 May 11 โ€“ May 25
Direct Sow May 4 May 4 โ€“ May 25
Harvest July 6 Jul 6 โ€“ Aug 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
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 5a

Growing Season

173 days

Growing Tips for Sheboygan 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 Sheboygan County, WI?

Sheboygan County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your New Zealand Spinach planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sheboygan County, WI?

Sheboygan County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 17.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Sheboygan County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Sheboygan County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.