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When to Plant Spinach in Sherman County, NE

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.

Sherman County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 149 days.

At an elevation of 807 feet, Sherman County receives approximately 33.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Spinach to ensure they mature before fall.

Sherman County, NE (Zone 4b) Short season
149 days
Last Spring Frost May 9
149 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Sherman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Aug 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Aug 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 5 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 23

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
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 84 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Spinach needs ~425 GDD — county provides 1,490 GDD Excellent fit

Spinach Planting Timeline โ€” Sherman County, NE

Spinach Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 11
Transplant Outdoors May 9 May 9 โ€“ May 23
Direct Sow May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 23
Fall Sowing July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Jul 27
Harvest June 13 Jun 13 โ€“ Aug 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
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 4b

Growing Season

149 days

Growing Tips for Sherman 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 Sherman County, NE?

Sherman County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 9. Plan your Spinach planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sherman County, NE?

Sherman County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 9 and first fall frost is October 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Sherman County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Sherman County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.