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When to Plant Spinach in Travis County, TX

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.

Travis County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost is November 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 262 days.

At an elevation of 3,682 feet, Travis County receives approximately 66.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Spinach during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Spinach, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Spinach root diseases.

Travis County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
262 days
Last Spring Frost March 6
262 growing days
First Fall Frost November 23

Travis County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.8-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (163 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 22 Transplant: Feb 26 🍅 Harvest: Apr 2 – Jun 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (164 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: Apr 10 – Jun 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (152 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: May 10 – Jul 12

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
Drought risk

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

Spinach needs ~808 GDD — county provides 4,978 GDD Excellent fit

Spinach Planting Timeline โ€” Travis County, TX

Spinach Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 30 Jan 30 โ€“ Feb 13
Transplant Outdoors March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 20
Direct Sow February 20 Feb 20 โ€“ Mar 13
Fall Sowing September 14 Sep 14 โ€“ Sep 28
Harvest April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ Jun 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
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 8b

Growing Season

262 days

Growing Tips for Travis 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 Travis County, TX?

Travis County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 6. Plan your Spinach planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Travis County, TX?

Travis County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 6 and first fall frost is November 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Travis County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Travis County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.