Cool-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Spinach in Delaware

Fast from seed to salad. Spinach bolts in heat, so plant early in spring and again in fall.

The Short Answer

Spinach are cold-tolerant and do well in Delaware's varied climate. You can direct sow 6 weeks before your last frost — that's as early as Apr 10 - Apr 25 in Northern Delaware. Delaware gardeners can also plant a fall crop. Sandy soils in south, clay loam in north. Generally well-drained. Slightly acidic.

Delaware Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Delaware you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Northern Delaware	7a	Apr 10 - Apr 25	Oct 10 - Oct 25
Southern Delaware	7b	Apr 1 - Apr 15	Oct 20 - Nov 5

Spinach Planting Schedule for Delaware

Northern Delaware (Zones 7a)

Average last frost: Apr 10 - Apr 25 · Average first frost: Oct 10 - Oct 25

Direct Sow

6 wks before frost

Fall Planting

6 wks before first frost

Southern Delaware (Zones 7b)

Average last frost: Apr 1 - Apr 15 · Average first frost: Oct 20 - Nov 5

Direct Sow

6 wks before frost

Fall Planting

6 wks before first frost

Growing Spinach in Delaware

Spinach in Delaware's Climate

Spinach thrives in your spring and fall cool windows. Direct sow 4 weeks before last frost and succession plant every 2 weeks through mid-May. Resume sowing in late August. When summer temperatures consistently exceed 75°F, spinach bolts within days — pull plants and switch to heat-tolerant greens like Swiss chard.

Soil Considerations for Delaware

Sandy soils in south, clay loam in north. Generally well-drained. Slightly acidic.

Delaware Climate & Growing Season

Moderate climate with maritime influence. Good growing conditions for a wide range of vegetables. Spinach can handle frost well, which is an advantage in Delaware's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.

Growing season length varies across Delaware: Northern Delaware (7a) has a last frost around Apr 10 - Apr 25, while Southern Delaware (7b) sees frost end around Apr 1 - Apr 15. This difference matters for spinach — adjust your planting dates to match your specific region.

Growing Tips

Direct sow as soon as soil can be worked in spring. For fall, plant 6-8 weeks before first frost.

Companion Planting

Plant spinach alongside these companions for better growth:

Strawberries Peas Radishes

The Bottom Line

Spinach can be grown successfully across Delaware, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern Delaware gardeners should plan around a Apr 10 - Apr 25 last frost, while those in Southern Delaware can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026