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When to Plant Spinach in Burnet County, TX

Burnet County, Texas Zone 8b May

May in Burnet County, Texas — your action list

Your Burnet County, Texas garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost March 6
Avg. first frost November 20
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Collect spinach at their peak

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: 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.

Burnet County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost is November 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 259 days.

At an elevation of 1,090 feet, Burnet County receives approximately 60.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Spinach during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Spinach, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Spinach root diseases.

Burnet County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
259 days
Last Spring Frost March 6
259 growing days
First Fall Frost November 20

Burnet County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.8-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (158 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 23 Transplant: Feb 27 🍅 Harvest: Apr 3 – Jun 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (161 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: Apr 10 – Jun 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (146 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jul 17

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 Burnet County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–7.6) overlaps with Spinach's range (6.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

Your clay soil in Burnet County is workable for Spinach. Add compost annually to improve structure.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). 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

9
successive plantings in your 259-day season

Sow every 4 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 01 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 11.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3" 6.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3" 9.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 10.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 6.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 7.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 6.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3" 2.1" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Dec 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Burnet 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 ~839 GDD — county provides 5,115 GDD Excellent fit

Spinach Planting Timeline — Burnet County, TX

Spinach Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 30 Jan 30 – Feb 13
Transplant Outdoors March 6 Mar 6 – Mar 20
Direct Sow February 20 Feb 20 – Mar 13
Harvest April 10 Apr 10 – Jun 12
Fall Sowing September 11 Sep 11 – Sep 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

259 days in Burnet County

Growing Tips for Spinach in Burnet County

Direct sow Spinach outdoors after March 06 in Burnet County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Burnet County's clay soil (38% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Spinach. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Summer highs in Burnet County reach 93°F — grow Spinach as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.

Your generous 259.0-day season in Burnet 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 Burnet County

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Spinach in Burnet County, TX?

Burnet County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 6. Plan your Spinach planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Burnet County, TX?

Burnet County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 6 and first fall frost is November 20.

🌱

Your Burnet County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Burnet County (Zone 8b). 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 Burnet County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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