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When to Plant Spinach in St. Landry 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.

St. Landry Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 19 and the first fall frost is December 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 285 days.

At an elevation of 370 feet, St. Landry Parish receives approximately 59.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 97ยฐF, so Spinach may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. 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.

St. Landry Parish, LA (Zone 8b) Year-round
285 days
Last Spring Frost February 19
285 growing days
First Fall Frost December 1

St. Landry Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (188 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 3 Transplant: Feb 7 🍅 Harvest: Mar 14 – May 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (187 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 15 Transplant: Feb 19 🍅 Harvest: Mar 26 – May 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (181 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: Apr 15 – Jun 17

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 310 gal / 100 sq ft
Spinach needs ~967 GDD — county provides 6,506 GDD Excellent fit

Spinach Planting Timeline โ€” St. Landry Parish, LA

Spinach Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 15 Jan 15 โ€“ Jan 29
Transplant Outdoors February 19 Feb 19 โ€“ Mar 5
Direct Sow February 5 Feb 5 โ€“ Feb 26
Fall Sowing September 22 Sep 22 โ€“ Oct 6
Harvest March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ May 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

285 days

Growing Tips for St. Landry 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 St. Landry Parish, LA?

St. Landry Parish is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 19. Plan your Spinach planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is St. Landry Parish, LA?

St. Landry Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 19 and first fall frost is December 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help St. Landry Parish 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 St. Landry Parish, LA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.