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When to plant New Zealand Spinach in Caldwell County County,

Caldwell County County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Plant New Zealand Spinach between April 20 (after last frost on April 13) and May 11.

When to Plant New Zealand Spinach in Caldwell County, MO

Caldwell County, Missouri Zone 6a June

Top priorities for Caldwell County, Missouri gardeners in June

Each item below is timed to Caldwell County, Missouri's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost April 13
Avg. first frost October 22
Soil temp (4") 70°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.8 hrs
  1. Indoor seed-starting week for new zealand spinach

    These need a head start before your last frost (April 13). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.

  2. Pick new zealand spinach

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

To set up a strong July, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: new zealand spinach

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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.

Caldwell County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 192 days.

At an elevation of 1,389 feet, Caldwell County receives approximately 34 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of New Zealand Spinach to ensure they mature before fall.

Caldwell County, MO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
192 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
192 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22
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Caldwell County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

New Zealand Spinach Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Jul 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Jul 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Aug 6

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 Caldwell County

How your county's soil matches New Zealand Spinach's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–7.1) overlaps with New Zealand Spinach's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Caldwell County is excellent for New Zealand Spinach — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help New Zealand Spinach.

How to Plant New Zealand Spinach

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting New Zealand Spinach

4
successive plantings in your 192-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 13 to harvest before frost.

New Zealand Spinach Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 438 gal / 100 sq ft

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 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Caldwell 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 needs ~812 GDD — county provides 2,496 GDD Excellent fit

New Zealand Spinach Planting Timeline — Caldwell County, MO

New Zealand Spinach Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 – Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 – May 11
Direct Sow April 20 Apr 20 – May 11
Harvest June 22 Jun 22 – Jul 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
September
October
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

55–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

192 days in Caldwell County

Growing Tips for New Zealand Spinach in Caldwell County

Direct sow New Zealand Spinach outdoors after April 13 in Caldwell County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant New Zealand Spinach in Caldwell County, MO?

Caldwell County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your New Zealand Spinach planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Caldwell County, MO?

Caldwell County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 22.

When should I plant New Zealand Spinach in Caldwell County County, ?

In Caldwell County County, , plant New Zealand Spinach after the last frost (around April 13) and before the first frost (around October 22). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Caldwell County County, for New Zealand Spinach?

Caldwell County County sits in USDA Zone 6a. New Zealand Spinach grows reliably in zones 5a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can New Zealand Spinach grow in Caldwell County County's climate?

Yes — New Zealand Spinach grows well in Caldwell County County's temperate climate. Caldwell County County averages a 192-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 13 and first frost around October 22.

🌱

Your Caldwell County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Caldwell 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.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Caldwell County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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