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When to Plant Spinach in Licking County, OH

Spinach

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.

Licking County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.

At an elevation of 880 feet, Licking County receives approximately 31.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Spinach during the growing season.

Licking County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
178 days
Last Spring Frost April 24
178 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Licking County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Spinach

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 Spinach Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Spinach Planting Timeline — Licking County, OH

Spinach Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 20 Mar 20 – Apr 3
Transplant Outdoors April 24 Apr 24 – May 8
Direct Sow April 10 Apr 10 – May 1
Harvest May 29 May 29 – Jul 31
Fall Sowing August 10 Aug 10 – Aug 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

35–50 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6.5–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

178 days in Licking County

Growing Tips for Licking 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

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Spinach in Licking County, OH?

Licking County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Spinach planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Licking County, OH?

Licking County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 19.

🌱

Your Licking County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Licking 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.