Spinach planting calendar for USDA Zone 8a

Wilmington NC, Columbia SC, Atlanta, Dallas, Norfolk. Average last spring frost March 28, first fall frost November 5 — a 222-day frost-free season.

Zone fit: excellent

Spinach is well suited to Zone 8a. Standard planting dates work with minor adjustments for microclimates.

Key dates

Direct-seed outdoors

February 7 – February 28

Expected first harvest

March 31 – April 28

Fall planting window

September 3 – September 24

Fall harvest window

October 25 – November 22

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 8a

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 8a

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.

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