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When to Plant Spinach in Sussex County, VA

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.

Sussex County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 224 days.

At an elevation of 1,076 feet, Sussex County receives approximately 41.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Spinach during the growing season.

Sussex County, VA (Zone 7b) Long season
224 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
224 growing days
First Fall Frost November 7

Sussex County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (128 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: Apr 26 – Jun 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: May 2 – Jul 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jul 18

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 442 gal / 100 sq ft
Spinach needs ~744 GDD — county provides 3,920 GDD Excellent fit

Spinach Planting Timeline โ€” Sussex County, VA

Spinach Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 21 Feb 21 โ€“ Mar 7
Transplant Outdoors March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 11
Direct Sow March 14 Mar 14 โ€“ Apr 4
Fall Sowing August 29 Aug 29 โ€“ Sep 12
Harvest May 2 May 2 โ€“ Jul 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors 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 7b

Growing Season

224 days

Growing Tips for Sussex 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 Sussex County, VA?

Sussex County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Spinach planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sussex County, VA?

Sussex County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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