When to plant spinach in District of Columbia
District of Columbia’s average last spring frost is April 10, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 25 — about 198 frost-free days (USDA zones 7a, 7b, 8a). Spinach needs 37–45 days to mature, which fits comfortably within District of Columbia's growing season.
When to plant spinach in District of Columbia: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Mar 1 – Mar 20. Seeds germinate in soil from 35 to 75°F.
Succession sow again in District of Columbia: Mar 18 · Mar 30 · Apr 11 · Apr 23 · May 5
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 District of Columbia, 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 (Mar 1 – Mar 20). 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 District of Columbia.
- 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 Apr 12 – Apr 20). 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 District of Columbia’s average frost dates. More in the full spinach growing guide.
Spinach planting dates by USDA zone in District of Columbia
District of Columbia spans USDA zones 7a, 7b, 8a. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia (this page) | April 10 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
| New Jersey | April 20 | Mar 11 – Mar 30 |
| Pennsylvania | May 1 | Mar 22 – Apr 10 |
| Delaware | April 14 | Mar 5 – Mar 24 |
| Maryland | April 14 | Mar 5 – Mar 24 |
| Virginia | April 15 | Mar 6 – Mar 25 |
| West Virginia | May 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 14 |
Questions gardeners in District of Columbia ask
When is the best time to plant spinach in District of Columbia?
Sow spinach in District of Columbia between March 1 and March 20. That timing is set by District of Columbia's average last spring frost of April 10.
Can I plant spinach in the fall in District of Columbia?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 27 and September 13, so the crop matures in cool weather before District of Columbia's first frost around October 25.
When will spinach planted in District of Columbia be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, spinach is usually ready from about April 12 to April 20, 37-45 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in District of Columbia?
On average around April 10, with the first fall frost around October 25 - about 198 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.