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When to Plant Spinach in Audrain County, MO

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.

Audrain County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 198 days.

At an elevation of 1,376 feet, Audrain County receives approximately 37.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Spinach during the growing season.

Audrain County, MO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
198 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
198 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Audrain County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: May 9 – Jul 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jul 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 372 gal / 100 sq ft
Spinach needs ~584 GDD — county provides 2,722 GDD Excellent fit

Spinach Planting Timeline โ€” Audrain County, MO

Spinach Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 20
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ Apr 24
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 17
Fall Sowing August 16 Aug 16 โ€“ Aug 30
Harvest May 15 May 15 โ€“ Jul 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September โ€”
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 6a

Growing Season

198 days

Growing Tips for Audrain 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 Audrain County, MO?

Audrain County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Spinach planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Audrain County, MO?

Audrain County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Audrain County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Audrain County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.