When to plant spinach in Alabama
Alabama’s average last spring frost is March 25, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 5 — about 225 frost-free days (USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a). Spinach needs 37–45 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Alabama's growing season.
When to plant spinach in Alabama: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Feb 13 – Mar 4. Seeds germinate in soil from 35 to 75°F.
Succession sow again in Alabama: Mar 2 · Mar 14 · Mar 26 · Apr 7 · Apr 19
Spring succession stops before summer heat makes it bolt. Start sowing again in late summer for a fall crop (see the fall window above).
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow spinach in Alabama, step by step
- Prepare the bed. It needs six or more hours of sun for the best growth, though four to six hours in partial shade is enough and loose soil at least 12 inches deep, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Dig in compost before planting.
- Sow outdoors (Feb 13 – Mar 4). Space plants about 4 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart, sowing seed ½ inch deep. It tolerates hard frost, so it is one of the first crops to plant. As a cool-season crop it does best before summer heat arrives in Alabama.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: leaf miner, aphids, flea beetle. Diseases and disorders: downy mildew, white rust, damping off.
- Harvest (from about Mar 27 – Apr 4). Spinach takes 37-45 days to reach harvest. Bolts fast in heat and long days - it is really a spring and fall crop. A late-fall sowing under row cover often overwinters for an early-spring cut.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Alabama’s average frost dates. More in the full spinach growing guide.
Spinach planting dates by USDA zone in Alabama
Alabama spans USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the spinach dates shift with them.
When to plant spinach in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Sow |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama (this page) | March 25 | Feb 13 – Mar 4 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Feb 8 – Feb 27 |
| Louisiana | March 5 | Jan 24 – Feb 12 |
| Florida | February 12 | Jan 3 – Jan 22 |
| Arkansas | April 3 | Feb 22 – Mar 13 |
Questions gardeners in Alabama ask
When is the best time to plant spinach in Alabama?
Sow spinach in Alabama between February 13 and March 4. That timing is set by Alabama's average last spring frost of March 25.
Can I plant spinach in the fall in Alabama?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between September 7 and September 24, so the crop matures in cool weather before Alabama's first frost around November 5.
When will spinach planted in Alabama be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, spinach is usually ready from about March 27 to April 4, 37-45 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Alabama?
On average around March 25, with the first fall frost around November 5 - about 225 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.