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When to Plant Spinach in Washington 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.

Washington County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 254 days.

At an elevation of 258 feet, Washington County receives approximately 55.3 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.

Washington County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
254 days
Last Spring Frost March 6
254 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Washington County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (149 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 26 Transplant: Mar 2 🍅 Harvest: Apr 6 – Jun 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (156 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: Apr 10 – Jun 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (152 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: Apr 28 – Jun 30

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 193 gal / 100 sq ft
Spinach needs ~744 GDD — county provides 4,445 GDD Excellent fit

Spinach Planting Timeline โ€” Washington County, MS

Spinach Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 30 Jan 30 โ€“ Feb 13
Transplant Outdoors March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 20
Direct Sow February 20 Feb 20 โ€“ Mar 13
Fall Sowing September 6 Sep 6 โ€“ Sep 20
Harvest April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ Jun 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
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

254 days

Growing Tips for Washington 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 Washington County, MS?

Washington County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 6. Plan your Spinach planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Washington County, MS?

Washington County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 6 and first fall frost is November 15.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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