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When to Plant Spinach in Lander County, NV

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.

Lander County, Nevada is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 27 and the first fall frost is September 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 118 days.

At an elevation of 6,987 feet, Lander County receives approximately 9.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Spinach during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Spinach will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Spinach successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Lander County, NV (Zone 5b) Short season
118 days
Last Spring Frost May 27
118 growing days
First Fall Frost September 22

Lander County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.8-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (19 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 14 Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (20 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 22 Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Sep 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 13 Transplant: Jun 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 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
0.3″/week
You supply
1.2″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,217 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Spinach needs ~776 GDD — county provides 2,153 GDD Excellent fit

Spinach Planting Timeline โ€” Lander County, NV

Spinach Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 6
Transplant Outdoors May 27 May 27 โ€“ Jun 10
Direct Sow May 13 May 13 โ€“ Jun 3
Fall Sowing July 14 Jul 14 โ€“ Jul 28
Harvest July 1 Jul 1 โ€“ Sep 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 5b

Growing Season

118 days

Growing Tips for Lander 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 Lander County, NV?

Lander County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 27. Plan your Spinach planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lander County, NV?

Lander County, Nevada is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 27 and first fall frost is September 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lander County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Lander County, NV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.