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When to Plant Spinach in Suwannee County, FL

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.

Suwannee County, Florida is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 4 and the first fall frost is November 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 267 days.

At an elevation of 383 feet, Suwannee County receives approximately 53.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Spinach during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Spinach will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Spinach root diseases.

Suwannee County, FL (Zone 8b) Long season
267 days
Last Spring Frost March 4
267 growing days
First Fall Frost November 26

Suwannee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.1-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (172 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 15 Transplant: Feb 19 🍅 Harvest: Mar 26 – May 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (169 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 28 Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: Apr 8 – Jun 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (173 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: Apr 28 – Jun 30

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
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 373 gal / 100 sq ft
Spinach needs ~776 GDD — county provides 4,872 GDD Excellent fit

Spinach Planting Timeline โ€” Suwannee County, FL

Spinach Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 28 Jan 28 โ€“ Feb 11
Transplant Outdoors March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 18
Direct Sow February 18 Feb 18 โ€“ Mar 11
Fall Sowing September 17 Sep 17 โ€“ Oct 1
Harvest April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Jun 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
October Fall Sowing
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 8b

Growing Season

267 days

Growing Tips for Suwannee County

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 Suwannee County, FL?

Suwannee County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 4. Plan your Spinach planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Suwannee County, FL?

Suwannee County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 4 and first fall frost is November 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Suwannee County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Suwannee County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.