When to Plant Malabar Spinach in Lewis County, WA
Your May planting checklist for Lewis County, Washington
A quick May briefing for Lewis County, Washington gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
-
Move malabar spinach into the garden
Harden off for 7 days — a little more sun each day — before planting. That's the difference between a seedling that thrives and one that stalls.
-
Sow malabar spinach where they'll grow
Rake a smooth bed, make a shallow furrow, drop seeds at the spacing on the packet, water gently, walk away.
June prep starts now
- Starting indoors: 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.
Lewis County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 182 days.
At an elevation of 327 feet, Lewis County receives approximately 37.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Malabar Spinach during the growing season.
Lewis County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.6-6.2
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 Lewis County
How your county's soil matches Malabar Spinach's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.6–6.2) is more acidic than Malabar Spinach prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Lewis County is excellent for Malabar Spinach — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (5.3%) — Malabar Spinach will thrive.
How to Plant Malabar Spinach
Succession Planting Malabar Spinach
Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 15 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 5.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 4.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 6.5" | 2.8" | 3.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| May | 6.5" | 2" | 4.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 6.5" | 1.3" | 5.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 6.5" | 0.6" | 5.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 6.5" | 0.6" | 5.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 6.5" | 1.4" | 5.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 6.5" | 3.4" | 3.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 6.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 5.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Lewis 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 — Lewis County, WA
Malabar Spinach Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 7 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 9 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Direct Sow | May 2 | May 2 – May 23 |
| Harvest | July 4 | Jul 4 – Aug 1 |
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 | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1.5"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
55–70 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8a
📆 Growing Season
182 days in Lewis County
Growing Tips for Malabar Spinach in Lewis County
Direct sow Malabar Spinach outdoors after April 25 in Lewis 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 Lewis County, WA?
Lewis County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Malabar Spinach planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Lewis County, WA?
Lewis County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 24.
Your Lewis County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Lewis County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.