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When to plant Spinach in Fairdealing, MO

Plant Spinach in Fairdealing after March 27; the prime window is March 13–April 3. A second sowing from August 24 to September 7 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Spinach in Fairdealing, MO

Spinach
Ripley County, Missouri Zone 7a June

June in Ripley County, Missouri — your action list

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Ripley County, Missouri this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost March 27
Avg. first frost November 2
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.5 hrs
  1. Start harvesting spinach

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

Before July arrives, get these ready
  • First harvests: spinach

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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.

Fairdealing, Missouri is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 220 days.

At an elevation of 1,300 feet, Ripley County receives approximately 38.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Spinach during the growing season.

Fairdealing, MO (Zone 7a) Long season
220 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
220 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Fairdealing Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Spinach Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (125 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: Apr 23 – Jun 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (122 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 1 – Jul 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (122 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jul 24

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 Fairdealing

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.8) is more acidic than Spinach prefers (6.5–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Spinach.

How to Plant Spinach

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

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Spinach

7
successive plantings in your 220-day season

Sow every 4 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 13 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 24.

Spinach Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Spinach

Spinach needs approximately 0.7 inches of water per week (3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Spinach Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3" 2.6" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Apr 3" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3" 2.8" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3" 2.4" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Dec 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Ripley County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

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.

Spinach needs ~712 GDD — county provides 3,685 GDD Excellent fit

Spinach Planting Timeline — Fairdealing, MO

Spinach Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 20 Feb 20 – Mar 6
Transplant Outdoors March 27 Mar 27 – Apr 10
Direct Sow March 13 Mar 13 – Apr 3
Harvest May 1 May 1 – Jul 3
Fall Sowing August 24 Aug 24 – Sep 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
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
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

0.7"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

35–50 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6.5–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

220 days in Ripley County

Growing Tips for Spinach in Fairdealing

Direct sow Spinach outdoors after March 27 in Ripley County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 220.0-day season in Ripley County allows multiple plantings of Spinach. Sow every 17.0 days for continuous harvest.

General growing tips

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.

Recommended Spinach Varieties for Fairdealing

Slow-bolting spinach for warm springs — best as fall crop here

Bloomsdale Long Standing Tyee Space

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌾 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 35°F, under 45% humidity.

Wind pollinated — isolate 1/2 mile for purity. Easy to let bolt in heat.

When should I plant Spinach in Fairdealing, MO?

In Fairdealing, MO, plant Spinach after the last frost (around March 27) and before the first frost (around November 2). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Fairdealing, MO for Spinach?

Fairdealing sits in USDA Zone 7a. Spinach grows reliably in zones 2a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Spinach grow in Fairdealing's climate?

Yes — Spinach grows well in Fairdealing's temperate climate. Fairdealing averages a 220-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 27 and first frost around November 2.

🌱

Your Ripley County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Ripley County (Zone 7a). 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 Ripley County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.