Spinach planting calendar for USDA Zone 6a

Western NC mountains, southern PA, central OH, northern MO. Average last spring frost May 1, first fall frost October 1 — a 153-day frost-free season.

Zone fit: excellent
Spinach is well suited to Zone 6a. Standard planting dates work with minor adjustments for microclimates.

Key dates

Direct-seed outdoors
March 13 – April 3
Expected first harvest
May 4 – June 1
Fall planting window
July 30 – August 20
Fall harvest window
September 20 – October 18

Windows are calculated from your zone's average frost dates. Adjust ±1 week for microclimates, elevation, and your own frost records.

Spacing and soil

Plant spacing
4″
Row spacing
12″
Seed depth
0.5″
Soil temperature
40–70°F
Frost tolerance
hardy
Days to harvest
45 days

Grower notes for Zone 6a

Germination stalls above 75°F. Direct-seed while soil is still cool for both spring and fall crops.

Plant near: strawberries, radish

Other leafy greens for Zone 6a

Same crop, other zones

Track your own plantings

BAU Farm Intelligence turns these windows into per-field tasks — indoor seed-start reminders, transplant dates, harvest projections — using your farm's actual frost history.