When to Plant Malabar Spinach in Caddo County, OK
May in Caddo County, Oklahoma — your action list
May is a pivotal month for Caddo County, Oklahoma gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
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Fire up the seed-starting tray: malabar spinach
Give them 6–8 weeks indoors before the last frost and you'll transplant into warm soil with seedlings that are already leaping.
June prep starts now
- First harvests: malabar spinach
Malabar spinach is a tropical vine with thick, succulent leaves that taste similar to spinach. Unlike true spinach, it thrives in heat and humidity.
Caddo County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost is November 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 214 days.
At an elevation of 762 feet, Caddo County receives approximately 32.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Malabar Spinach during the growing season.
Caddo County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.3-7.4
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 Caddo County
How your county's soil matches Malabar Spinach's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.3–7.4) is within Malabar Spinach's preferred range (6.0–7.5).
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Caddo County is excellent for Malabar Spinach — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (4.0%). Annual compost additions will help Malabar Spinach.
How to Plant Malabar Spinach
Succession Planting Malabar Spinach
Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 26 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Malabar Spinach
Malabar Spinach needs approximately 1.5 inches of water per week (6.5" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Malabar Spinach Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 6.5" | 3.5" | 3" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 6.5" | 4.8" | 1.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 6.5" | 5.1" | 1.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 6.5" | 4.2" | 2.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 6.5" | 4" | 2.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 6.5" | 3.1" | 3.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 6.5" | 1.7" | 4.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | 6.5" | 1" | 5.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Dec | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Caddo County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Malabar 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.
Malabar Spinach Planting Timeline — Caddo County, OK
Malabar Spinach Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 14 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 18 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Direct Sow | April 11 | Apr 11 – May 2 |
| Harvest | June 13 | Jun 13 – Jul 11 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | — |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1.5"/week · 2-3 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
55–70 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: ideal
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7b
📆 Growing Season
214 days in Caddo County
Growing Tips for Malabar Spinach in Caddo County
Direct sow Malabar Spinach outdoors after April 04 in Caddo County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
General growing tips
Direct sow after last frost or start indoors. Provide a trellis for the vigorous vines. Harvest young leaves regularly; older leaves become mucilaginous when cooked.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Malabar Spinach in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Malabar Spinach in Caddo County, OK?
Caddo County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 4. Plan your Malabar Spinach planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Caddo County, OK?
Caddo County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 4 and first fall frost is November 4.
Your Caddo County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Caddo County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.