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When to Plant Spinach in Morristown, Tennessee (37814)

Location

Morristown, Tennessee

ZIP Code

37814

USDA Zone

7b

Last Frost

Sunday, April 5, 2026

πŸ“… Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Sunday, February 22, 2026

Based on last frost Sunday, April 5, 2026 Β· Zone 7b

Pro tip: Sow Spinach directly outdoors 6 weeks before your last frost date.

🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Spinacia oleracea
Days to Maturity 40 days
Mature Height 6-12"
Spread 6"
Type Leaf
Fruit Size N/A

β˜€οΈ Growing Requirements

β˜€οΈ

Sun

Partial Shade to Full Sun

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Water

Regular (keep moist)

↔️

Spacing

6" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.5" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 7-14 days

Ready to Plant Spinach in Morristown?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Sunday, February 22, 2026.

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🀝 Good Companions

StrawberryPeaBeanBrassicas
See the full companion planting guide for Spinach β†’

πŸ› οΈ Supplies You'll Need

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Common Spinach Varieties

Popular cultivars to look for at your local nursery or seed supplier.

Bloomsdale Long Standing

savoy 48d

Savoy (crinkled) heirloom spinach with thick, crumpled leaves; bolt-resistant and reliable.

Space

flat-leaf 40d

Smooth-leaved hybrid that resists bolting better than most; popular for spring and fall growing.

Malabar Spinach

heat-tolerant

Heat-tolerant tropical vine that thrives in summer when true spinach bolts; glossy, mild leaves.

New Zealand Spinach

heat-tolerant

Not a true spinach but produces similarly; very heat- and drought-tolerant groundcover.

Common Spinach Problems

What to watch for β€” and how to fix it before it spreads.

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Pests

Leafminer

Larvae tunnel between leaf surfaces leaving white, serpentine trails; mines make leaves inedible.

Fix:

Remove and destroy mined leaves immediately; use row covers; practice crop rotation.

Aphids

Green colonies on undersides of leaves; transmit cucumber mosaic virus.

Fix:

Spray with insecticidal soap; use row covers in spring; plant away from infected cucurbits.

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Diseases

Downy Mildew (Blue Mold)

Yellow patches on upper leaf with purple-gray spores on undersides; spreads rapidly in cool, wet weather.

Fix:

Plant resistant varieties; avoid overhead irrigation; ensure good airflow; apply copper fungicide.

Damping Off

Seedlings collapse at the soil line; caused by Pythium or Fusarium in wet, cool soils.

Fix:

Improve drainage; use sterile potting mix for starting seeds; avoid overwatering.

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Common Mistakes

Growing in summer

Spinach bolts (flowers) almost immediately when days exceed 13–14 hours or temps go above 75Β°F.

Fix:

Grow as a cool-season crop in spring (early) and fall; try heat-tolerant Malabar spinach in summer.

Planting too shallow

Spinach seeds need good soil contact; too-shallow seeding leads to poor, patchy germination.

Fix:

Sow 1/2 inch deep; press soil firmly over seeds; keep moist until germination.

🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟑 Moderate
βœ… Open-pollinated β€” seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Let plants bolt in heat and allow seed stalks to dry fully before harvesting.

Processing

Strip dried seed stalks, thresh to release seeds, winnow to remove chaff.

Seed Viability

Up to 3 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Spinach is wind-pollinated and dioecious β€” you need both male and female plants. Isolate by 1000 feet for pure seed.

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Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4Γ—8 bed fits 4 per sq ft of Spinach. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size β†’

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Spinach in Morristown, Tennessee? +

In Morristown (Zone 7b), direct sow Spinach outdoors around Sunday, February 22, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Morristown, Tennessee? +

The average last spring frost date for Morristown, Tennessee (ZIP 37814) is around Sunday, April 5, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 7b.

How long does Spinach take to grow? +

Spinach typically matures in about 40 days from direct sowing. In Morristown, that means you can expect harvest around Sunday, February 22, 2026 plus 40 days.

Should I start Spinach indoors or direct sow in Tennessee? +

Spinach does best when direct sown outdoors. In Morristown, sow directly around Sunday, February 22, 2026.

Other Plants for Morristown

Growing Spinach in Zone 7b

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a popular garden vegetable. In Morristown, Tennessee, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b, you should direct sow seeds around Sunday, February 22, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Sunday, April 5, 2026. Spinach grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.