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When to Plant Spinach in Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK

Spinach is a nutrient-packed cool-season green that grows quickly in spring and fall. It is rich in iron, vitamins, and antioxidants and excellent raw or cooked.

Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is September 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 131 days.

At an elevation of 1,824 feet, Kenai Peninsula Borough receives approximately 55.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 60ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Spinach to ensure they mature before fall. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Spinach root diseases.

Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK (Zone 5a) Short season
131 days
Last Spring Frost May 17
131 growing days
First Fall Frost September 25

Kenai Peninsula Borough Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (33 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 12 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (33 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 27 Transplant: Jun 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Sep 7

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
1.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Spinach needs ~0 GDD — county provides 0 GDD May not mature

Spinach Planting Timeline โ€” Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK

Spinach Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ Apr 26
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 โ€“ May 31
Direct Sow May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 24
Fall Sowing July 17 Jul 17 โ€“ Jul 31
Harvest June 21 Jun 21 โ€“ Aug 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

35โ€“50 days

Soil pH

6.5 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 5a

Growing Season

131 days

Growing Tips for Kenai Peninsula Borough

Direct sow as soon as soil can be worked in spring. Plant in partial shade for summer crops to delay bolting. Succession plant every 2 weeks for continuous harvest.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

๐ŸŒพ Save Your Own Spinach Seeds
Life Cycle Annual
Pollination Wind Pollinated
How to Collect Let plants bolt. Harvest seed stalks when seeds turn tan.
Storage Store airtight; viable 5 years at 35ยฐF, under 45% humidity.

Wind pollinated โ€” isolate 1/2 mile for purity. Easy to let bolt in heat.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Spinach in Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK?

Kenai Peninsula Borough is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 17. Plan your Spinach planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK?

Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and first fall frost is September 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Kenai Peninsula Borough gardeners in Zone 5a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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 Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.