When to Plant New Zealand Spinach in El Paso County, CO
What to do in May
A quick May briefing for El Paso County, Colorado gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
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Transplant new zealand spinach outside
Pick a cloudy afternoon or evening to plant. Less transplant shock, and your seedlings will barely blink.
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Put new zealand spinach seeds straight in the ground
Rake a smooth bed, make a shallow furrow, drop seeds at the spacing on the packet, water gently, walk away.
New Zealand spinach is a heat-tolerant ground-cover plant with thick, triangular leaves that taste similar to true spinach. It thrives in hot weather when regular spinach bolts.
El Paso County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 148 days.
At an elevation of 8,317 feet, El Paso County receives approximately 23.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for New Zealand Spinach during the growing season.
El Paso County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.5-7.9
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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.
Soil Compatibility in El Paso County
How your county's soil matches New Zealand Spinach's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.5–7.9) overlaps with New Zealand Spinach's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in El Paso County is excellent for New Zealand Spinach — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). Annual compost additions will help New Zealand Spinach.
How to Plant New Zealand Spinach
Succession Planting New Zealand Spinach
Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 28 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for New Zealand Spinach
New Zealand Spinach needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | New Zealand Spinach Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 4.3" | 2.8" | 1.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 1.6" | 2.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 2.3" | 2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 3" | 1.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 1.7" | 2.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 1.9" | 2.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in El Paso County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
New Zealand Spinach Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
New Zealand Spinach Planting Timeline — El Paso County, CO
New Zealand Spinach Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 16 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 25 | May 25 – Jun 8 |
| Direct Sow | May 18 | May 18 – Jun 8 |
| Harvest | July 20 | Jul 20 – Aug 17 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | — |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
55–70 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6a
📆 Growing Season
148 days in El Paso County
Growing Tips for New Zealand Spinach in El Paso County
Direct sow New Zealand Spinach outdoors after May 11 in El Paso County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
El Paso County receives only 24" of rain annually. New Zealand Spinach needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.
General growing tips
Soak seeds overnight before planting. Direct sow after last frost. Pinch growing tips regularly to encourage bushy growth and tender new leaves.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
New Zealand Spinach in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant New Zealand Spinach in El Paso County, CO?
El Paso County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your New Zealand Spinach planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is El Paso County, CO?
El Paso County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 6.
Your El Paso County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for El Paso County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.