When to plant spinach in zone 9a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 9A

Growing SeasonZone 9a

Last frost ~Feb 28First frost ~Nov 30Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

JANFEBMARAPR

Sow Jan 31 · First harvest Mar 9 · Wrap by Apr 6

Last spring frostFeb 28

Direct sowJan 31

First harvestMar 9

Last harvestApr 6

Fall succession sowOct 5

First fall frostNov 30

Why these dates work in zone 9a

Zone 9a's last spring frost averages Feb 28 and first fall frost Nov 30 — about 275 frost-free days. Spinach tolerates light frost, so you can sow ahead of the last-frost date and keep harvesting into the cooler fall. There's also room for a fall succession sowing around Oct 5 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does spinach take to grow in zone 9a?

Spinach matures in about 37–50 days from sowing. In zone 9a that means sowing around Jan 31 and first picking around Mar 9.

Will spinach survive frost in zone 9a?

Yes — spinach tolerates light frost. In zone 9a you can sow a little before the last frost (around Feb 28) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 30).

Can I plant a second crop of spinach in zone 9a?

Yes — in zone 9a there's time for a fall sowing around Oct 5 for a second harvest before frost.

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full spinach growing guide →