When to plant spinach in Louisiana
Louisiana’s average last spring frost is March 5, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 15 — about 255 frost-free days (USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b). Spinach needs 37–45 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Louisiana's growing season.
When to plant spinach in Louisiana: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Jan 24 – Feb 12. Seeds germinate in soil from 35 to 75°F.
Succession sow again in Louisiana: Feb 10 · Feb 22 · Mar 6 · Mar 18 · Mar 30
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 Louisiana, 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 (Jan 24 – Feb 12). 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 Louisiana.
- 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 7 – Mar 15). 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 Louisiana’s average frost dates. More in the full spinach growing guide.
Spinach planting dates by USDA zone in Louisiana
Louisiana spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana (this page) | March 5 | Jan 24 – Feb 12 |
| Alabama | March 25 | Feb 13 – Mar 4 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Feb 8 – Feb 27 |
| Florida | February 12 | Jan 3 – Jan 22 |
| Arkansas | April 3 | Feb 22 – Mar 13 |
Questions gardeners in Louisiana ask
When is the best time to plant spinach in Louisiana?
Sow spinach in Louisiana between January 24 and February 12. That timing is set by Louisiana's average last spring frost of March 5.
Can I plant spinach in the fall in Louisiana?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between September 17 and October 4, so the crop matures in cool weather before Louisiana's first frost around November 15.
When will spinach planted in Louisiana be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, spinach is usually ready from about March 7 to March 15, 37-45 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Louisiana?
On average around March 5, with the first fall frost around November 15 - about 255 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.