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When to Plant Spinach in Deschutes County, OR

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.

Deschutes County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 15 and the first fall frost is September 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 90 days.

At an elevation of 221 feet, Deschutes County receives approximately 54.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Spinach to ensure they mature before fall. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Spinach root diseases.

Deschutes County, OR (Zone 6a) Very short season
90 days
Last Spring Frost June 15
90 growing days
First Fall Frost September 13

Deschutes County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.2

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 โ€” 7.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 6.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 4.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 3.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May โ€” 3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Jun 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 4.3" 1" 3.3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 1" 3.3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct โ€” 4.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 7.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 9.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Junโ€“Sep in Deschutes County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Spinach Planting Timeline โ€” Deschutes County, OR

Spinach Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors May 11 May 11 โ€“ May 25
Transplant Outdoors June 15 Jun 15 โ€“ Jun 29
Direct Sow June 1 Jun 1 โ€“ Jun 22
Harvest July 20 Jul 20 โ€“ Sep 21
Fall Sowing July 5 Jul 5 โ€“ Jul 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

35โ€“50 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6.5โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

90 days in Deschutes County

Growing Tips for Deschutes 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 →

๐ŸŒพ 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 35ยฐF, under 45% humidity.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Spinach in Deschutes County, OR?

Deschutes County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of June 15. Plan your Spinach planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Deschutes County, OR?

Deschutes County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 15 and first fall frost is September 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Deschutes County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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