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When to Plant Spinach in Marion County, KS

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.

Marion County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

At an elevation of 898 feet, Marion County receives approximately 26.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Spinach during the growing season.

Marion County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Marion County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jul 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jul 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Aug 2

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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 731 gal / 100 sq ft
Spinach needs ~744 GDD — county provides 3,377 GDD Excellent fit

Spinach Planting Timeline โ€” Marion County, KS

Spinach Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 24
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ Apr 28
Direct Sow March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 21
Fall Sowing August 15 Aug 15 โ€“ Aug 29
Harvest May 19 May 19 โ€“ Jul 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
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 6a

Growing Season

193 days

Growing Tips for Marion 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 Marion County, KS?

Marion County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Spinach planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marion County, KS?

Marion County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Marion County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Marion County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.