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When to Plant Spinach in Newport County, RI

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.

Newport County, Rhode Island is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 166 days.

At an elevation of 441 feet, Newport County receives approximately 41.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Spinach during the growing season.

Newport County, RI (Zone 7a) Moderate season
166 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
166 growing days
First Fall Frost October 13

Newport County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jul 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Aug 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 10 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 21

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Spinach needs ~871 GDD — county provides 3,403 GDD Excellent fit

Spinach Planting Timeline โ€” Newport County, RI

Spinach Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 9
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 14
Direct Sow April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ May 7
Fall Sowing August 4 Aug 4 โ€“ Aug 18
Harvest June 4 Jun 4 โ€“ Aug 6

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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing 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 7a

Growing Season

166 days

Growing Tips for Newport 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 Newport County, RI?

Newport County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Spinach planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Newport County, RI?

Newport County, Rhode Island is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Newport County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Newport County, RI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.