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When to Plant Spinach in Obion County, TN

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.

Obion County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 1,431 feet, Obion County receives approximately 44.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Spinach during the growing season.

Obion County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 2
209 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Obion County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 1 – Jul 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: May 7 – Jul 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (119 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jul 26

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 212 gal / 100 sq ft
Spinach needs ~712 GDD — county provides 3,500 GDD Excellent fit

Spinach Planting Timeline โ€” Obion County, TN

Spinach Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 12
Transplant Outdoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Direct Sow March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 9
Fall Sowing August 19 Aug 19 โ€“ Sep 2
Harvest May 7 May 7 โ€“ Jul 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
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 7a

Growing Season

209 days

Growing Tips for Obion 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 Obion County, TN?

Obion County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 2. Plan your Spinach planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Obion County, TN?

Obion County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and first fall frost is October 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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