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When to Plant Spinach in West Carroll 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.

West Carroll Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 11 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 247 days.

At an elevation of 455 feet, West Carroll Parish receives approximately 60.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Spinach may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Spinach root diseases.

West Carroll Parish, LA (Zone 8a) Long season
247 days
Last Spring Frost March 11
247 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

West Carroll Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (143 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 28 Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: Apr 8 – Jun 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (149 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: Apr 15 – Jun 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (139 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jul 15

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Spinach needs ~935 GDD — county provides 5,434 GDD Excellent fit

Spinach Planting Timeline โ€” West Carroll Parish, LA

Spinach Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 4 Feb 4 โ€“ Feb 18
Transplant Outdoors March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Mar 25
Direct Sow February 25 Feb 25 โ€“ Mar 18
Fall Sowing September 4 Sep 4 โ€“ Sep 18
Harvest April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ Jun 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

247 days

Growing Tips for West Carroll 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 West Carroll Parish, LA?

West Carroll Parish is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 11. Plan your Spinach planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is West Carroll Parish, LA?

West Carroll Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 11 and first fall frost is November 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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