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When to Plant Spinach in Pike 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.

Pike County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 13 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 248 days.

At an elevation of 325 feet, Pike County receives approximately 49.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Spinach may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Spinach, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Pike County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
248 days
Last Spring Frost March 13
248 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

Pike County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (150 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 28 Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: Apr 8 – Jun 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (150 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: Apr 17 – Jun 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (140 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jul 13

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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Spinach needs ~903 GDD — county provides 5,270 GDD Excellent fit

Spinach Planting Timeline โ€” Pike County, MS

Spinach Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 6 Feb 6 โ€“ Feb 20
Transplant Outdoors March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Mar 27
Direct Sow February 27 Feb 27 โ€“ Mar 20
Fall Sowing September 7 Sep 7 โ€“ Sep 21
Harvest April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ Jun 19

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

248 days

Growing Tips for Pike 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 Pike County, MS?

Pike County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 13. Plan your Spinach planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pike County, MS?

Pike County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 13 and first fall frost is November 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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