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When to Plant Spinach in Kemper County, MS

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.

Kemper County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.

At an elevation of 292 feet, Kemper County receives approximately 56.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Spinach during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Spinach, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Spinach root diseases.

Kemper County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
228 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
228 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Kemper County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (133 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: Apr 18 – Jun 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: Apr 27 – Jun 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (124 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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Spinach needs ~744 GDD — county provides 3,990 GDD Excellent fit

Spinach Planting Timeline โ€” Kemper County, MS

Spinach Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 6
Direct Sow March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 30
Fall Sowing August 28 Aug 28 โ€“ Sep 11
Harvest April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ Jun 29

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 Kemper 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 Kemper County, MS?

Kemper County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Spinach planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kemper County, MS?

Kemper County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Kemper County 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 Kemper County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.