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When to Plant Spinach in Claiborne Parish, LA

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.

Claiborne Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.

At an elevation of 229 feet, Claiborne Parish receives approximately 59.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Spinach during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Spinach root diseases.

Claiborne Parish, LA (Zone 8a) Long season
228 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
228 growing days
First Fall Frost November 5

Claiborne Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (132 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: Apr 17 – Jun 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: Apr 26 – Jun 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 22

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
1.1″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 421 gal / 100 sq ft
Spinach needs ~808 GDD — county provides 4,332 GDD Excellent fit

Spinach Planting Timeline โ€” Claiborne Parish, LA

Spinach Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 15 Feb 15 โ€“ Mar 1
Transplant Outdoors March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 5
Direct Sow March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 29
Fall Sowing August 27 Aug 27 โ€“ Sep 10
Harvest April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ Jun 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Season

228 days

Growing Tips for Claiborne Parish

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 Claiborne Parish, LA?

Claiborne Parish is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Spinach planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Claiborne Parish, LA?

Claiborne Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Claiborne Parish gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Claiborne Parish, LA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.