Blog

When to Plant Spinach in Putnam County, TN

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.

Putnam County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 199 days.

At an elevation of 1,813 feet, Putnam County receives approximately 51.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Spinach during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Spinach root diseases.

Putnam County, TN (Zone 7a) Moderate season
199 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
199 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Putnam County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.7

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 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Spinach Planting Timeline — Putnam County, TN

Spinach Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 6 Mar 6 – Mar 20
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 – Apr 24
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 – Apr 17
Harvest May 15 May 15 – Jul 17
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 – Aug 31

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

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

35–50 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6.5–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

199 days in Putnam County

Growing Tips for Putnam 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 Putnam County, TN?

Putnam County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Spinach planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Putnam County, TN?

Putnam County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 26.

🌱

Your Putnam County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Putnam 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.

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 Putnam County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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