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When to plant Spinach in Macomb, MO

Macomb gardeners should plant Spinach between March 28 and April 18 in spring. With Macomb's Zone 7a climate (last frost April 11), Spinach needs 35–50 days to mature — plant by September 2 for a full harvest. A second sowing from August 13 to August 27 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Spinach in Macomb, MO

Spinach
Wright County, Missouri Zone 7a July

Top priorities for Wright County, Missouri gardeners in July

July rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Wright County, Missouri.

Avg. last frost April 11
Avg. first frost October 22
Soil temp (4") 81°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. Basket week: spinach

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

August prep starts now
  • Fall sowing: 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.

Macomb, Missouri is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 923 feet, Wright County receives approximately 32.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Spinach during the growing season.

Macomb, MO (Zone 7a) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Macomb Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Spinach Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: May 10 – Jul 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jul 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Aug 1

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 Macomb

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5–7.0) is more acidic than Spinach prefers (6.5–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Wright 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

6
successive plantings in your 194-day season

Sow every 4 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 02 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 13.

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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 2.5" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3" 2.5" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Wright 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 ~616 GDD — county provides 2,813 GDD Excellent fit

Spinach Planting Timeline — Macomb, MO

Spinach Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 7 Mar 7 – Mar 21
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 – Apr 25
Direct Sow March 28 Mar 28 – Apr 18
Harvest May 16 May 16 – Jul 18
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 – Aug 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September
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

194 days in Wright County

Growing Tips for Spinach in Macomb

Direct sow Spinach outdoors after April 11 in Wright County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 194.0-day season in Wright 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 Macomb

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 Macomb, MO?

In Macomb, MO, plant Spinach after the last frost (around April 11) and before the first frost (around October 22). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Macomb, MO for Spinach?

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

Can Spinach grow in Macomb's climate?

Yes — Spinach grows well in Macomb's temperate climate. Macomb averages a 194-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 11 and first frost around October 22.

🌱

Your Wright County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Wright 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 Wright County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.