Cool-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Spinach in Pennsylvania

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

The Short Answer

Pennsylvania's cool spring provides excellent spinach conditions, and the crop is one of the first seeds to go in the ground each year. Fall spinach in Pennsylvania often surpasses spring — the gradually cooling temperatures produce tender, sweet leaves without the bolting pressure of warming spring days.

Pennsylvania Frost Dates

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

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Northern Pennsylvania 5a, 5b, 6a May 5 - May 20 Sep 20 - Oct 5
Central Pennsylvania 5b, 6a, 6b Apr 25 - May 10 Oct 1 - Oct 15
Philadelphia Region 7a, 7b Apr 5 - Apr 20 Oct 15 - Nov 5

Spinach Planting Schedule for Pennsylvania

Northern Pennsylvania (Zones 5a, 5b, 6a)

Average last frost: May 5 - May 20 · Average first frost: Sep 20 - Oct 5

Direct Sow
6 wks before frost
Fall Planting
6 wks before first frost

Central Pennsylvania (Zones 5b, 6a, 6b)

Average last frost: Apr 25 - May 10 · Average first frost: Oct 1 - Oct 15

Direct Sow
6 wks before frost
Fall Planting
6 wks before first frost

Philadelphia Region (Zones 7a, 7b)

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

Direct Sow
6 wks before frost
Fall Planting
6 wks before first frost

Growing Spinach in Pennsylvania

State-Specific Growing Tips

Spring: direct sow from late March (southeast PA) to mid-April (central/northern PA). Fall: sow from late August through mid-September for harvest through November. In southeastern PA, row cover can extend spinach into December. Pennsylvania's diverse soils all grow spinach well — lime may be needed in western PA's more acidic soils.

Recommended Varieties for Pennsylvania

Bloomsdale for traditional spring. Tyee for disease resistance. Regiment for bolt resistance. For overwintering experiments, try Giant Winter — it survives under mulch in southeastern PA.

Common Challenges in Pennsylvania

Bolting in summer heat. Downy mildew in cool, wet springs. Leaf miners. Rabbits love spinach — chicken wire protection helps.

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 in Pennsylvania with proper attention to regional frost dates and local growing conditions. Timing varies across the state — Northern Pennsylvania gardeners work with a last frost around May 5 - May 20, while Philadelphia Region sees frost end around Apr 5 - Apr 20. Choose varieties suited to your region, amend your soil based on its specific needs, and monitor for the pests and diseases most common in your area. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Spinach Growing Guide National planting guide with all states Pennsylvania Planting Calendar All plants for Pennsylvania Spinach in Alabama Alabama planting dates Spinach in Alaska Alaska planting dates Spinach in Arizona Arizona planting dates Spinach in Arkansas Arkansas planting dates
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

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