When to Plant New Zealand Spinach in Chelan County, WA
May in Chelan County, Washington — your action list
Your garden in Chelan County, Washington is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
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Set out new zealand spinach seedlings
Frost risk is low now in Chelan County, Washington. If you've been covering beds overnight, you can stop.
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Seed new zealand spinach outdoors
Rake a smooth bed, make a shallow furrow, drop seeds at the spacing on the packet, water gently, walk away.
A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
- Starting indoors: new zealand spinach
New Zealand spinach is a heat-tolerant ground-cover plant with thick, triangular leaves that taste similar to true spinach. It thrives in hot weather when regular spinach bolts.
Chelan County, Washington is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.
At an elevation of 3,517 feet, Chelan County receives approximately 14.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for New Zealand Spinach during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing New Zealand Spinach successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Chelan County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.5-6.3
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 Chelan County
How your county's soil matches New Zealand Spinach's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.5–6.3) is more acidic than New Zealand Spinach prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Chelan County is excellent for New Zealand Spinach — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (5.1%) — New Zealand Spinach will thrive.
How to Plant New Zealand Spinach
Succession Planting New Zealand Spinach
Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 11 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for New Zealand Spinach
New Zealand 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 | New Zealand Spinach Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 1.2" | 3.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| May | 4.3" | 0.9" | 3.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 0.6" | 3.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 0.2" | 4.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 0.3" | 4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 0.5" | 3.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 1.2" | 3.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 2.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Chelan County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
New Zealand 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.
New Zealand Spinach Planting Timeline — Chelan County, WA
New Zealand Spinach Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 6 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 8 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Direct Sow | May 1 | May 1 – May 22 |
| Harvest | July 3 | Jul 3 – Jul 31 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | — |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Harvest |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · 2-3 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
55–70 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7a
📆 Growing Season
179 days in Chelan County
Growing Tips for New Zealand Spinach in Chelan County
Direct sow New Zealand Spinach outdoors after April 24 in Chelan County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Chelan County receives only 14" of rain annually. New Zealand Spinach needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.
General growing tips
Soak seeds overnight before planting. Direct sow after last frost. Pinch growing tips regularly to encourage bushy growth and tender new leaves.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
New Zealand Spinach in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant New Zealand Spinach in Chelan County, WA?
Chelan County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your New Zealand Spinach planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Chelan County, WA?
Chelan County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 20.
Your Chelan County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Chelan 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.