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Arkansas planting calendar

When to plant spinach in Arkansas — sow, transplant & harvest dates

Arkansas is mostly USDA zone 7b (range 6b-8a). Dates below are derived from spinach's frost tolerance and Arkansas's frost window — not generic national averages.

Spinach planting timetable for Arkansas

StageWhen in ArkansasAnchor
Direct-sow outsideearly March (March 1)35 days before the last frost (early April)
First harvest (estimate)mid-April (April 15)~45 days from direct sow

Dates are state-wide averages for the dominant zone. Local microclimates — elevation, urban heat, coastal moderation — can shift the window by 1-2 weeks. Use the frost-date calculator for a date tuned to your town.

Why Arkansas's climate shifts the spinach dates

Arkansas's last spring frost averages early April and first fall frost late October, which sets the whole planting clock. Arkansas has a warm, humid, long season with mild winters. The Ozarks run a half zone cooler than the southern lowlands. Sow early — spinach bolt once daytime temperatures hold above 24 °C, so the earlier they go in, the longer the harvest.

Spinach is direct-sown only — it does not transplant well and runs to seed quickly under any stress. Sow as soon as soil can be worked, 4–6 weeks before the last spring frost; it germinates in soil as cold as 4 °C and seedlings survive light freezes to -6 °C. Bolt risk rises sharply once daytime temperatures consistently exceed 24 °C or day length passes 14 hours, so succession-sow every 2 weeks and switch to heat-tolerant varieties in late spring. In Zones 7–10, a second sowing in late summer or early fall produces the best crop of the year.

Frost-risk note

Don't plant before early April — a hard freeze can still set young plants back. In the Ozark and Ouachita highlands (zone 6b) the safe date runs a week or two later.

Regional variation within Arkansas

the Ozark and Ouachita highlands (zone 6b) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the southern and Delta lowlands near Little Rock (zone 8a) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

What else to plant in Arkansas around then

The same early window suits peas, lettuce, spinach, and onion sets.

Quick-grow guide

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to plant spinach in Arkansas?

In Arkansas (mostly USDA zone 7b), direct-sow spinach early March (before the last frost, early April), and harvest from mid-April. Spinach are cold-hardy — they tolerate frost and actively prefer cool weather, so they go in well before the last spring frost and bolt in summer heat.

What USDA zone is Arkansas?

Most of Arkansas sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b, with the state spanning roughly 6b-8a from the Ozark and Ouachita highlands (zone 6b) to the southern and Delta lowlands near Little Rock (zone 8a). The last spring frost averages early April and the first fall frost late October.

Can you grow spinach in Arkansas?

Yes. Arkansas's dominant zone 7b supports spinach — the key is timing. Spinach are cold-hardy — they tolerate frost and actively prefer cool weather, so they go in well before the last spring frost and bolt in summer heat.

Does the planting date change across Arkansas?

the Ozark and Ouachita highlands (zone 6b) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the southern and Delta lowlands near Little Rock (zone 8a) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

What else can I plant in Arkansas around the same time?

The same early window suits peas, lettuce, spinach, and onion sets.

Source and methodology

State zone spans from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023); frost-date averages from NOAA Climate Data Online. Hot-state two-season timing cross-checked against the UF/IFAS Florida Gardening Calendar and the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension planting calendar. Curated by the Growli editorial team.

Keep going

Same crop, nearby states (Southeast)

Other crops for Arkansas