PlantingWindowThe American Planting Almanac

When to plant spinach in Minneapolis, Minnesota

March 12 – April 2

Transplant outdoors · typical Minneapolis year

Climate basis: NOAA station Lower St Anthony Falls, MN (USC00214884), 1 mi (2 km) from downtown Minneapolis (ZCTA 55401 centroid), elevation 754 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Transplant spinach outdoors from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (April 23). One year in ten still freezes after May 7.

Last spring freezeApril 231-in-10 after May 7
First fall freezeOctober 161-in-10 before Oct 2
Frost-free season≈ 175 daysmedian at 32°F
Hard freeze, 28°Apr 14 – Oct 27kills even hardy greens
USDA zone5a-20 to -15°F winter low — not frost timing

The Minneapolis year

Transplant outdoorsMar 12 – Apr 2
Direct-sow outdoorsMar 24 – Apr 7
Fall plantingAug 21 – Sep 18
  • indoors under lights
  • in the garden
  • frost-free season
  • 1-in-10 years still freeze to May 7
Spinach in Minneapolis · freeze context from Lower St Anthony Falls, MN, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Transplant outdoors

Mar 12 – Apr 2

UNH: safe to set out 3–6 weeks before the last frost. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Apr 23). University of New Hampshire Extension

Direct-sow outdoors

Mar 24 – Apr 7

Purdue: hardy — 4–6 weeks before the last frost; Penn State's earliest sowing Apr 1 (−30 days) is the later start and is used. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Apr 23). Penn State Extension (York County Master Gardeners) · Purdue University Extension

Fall planting

Aug 21 – Sep 18

Purdue Table 2: plant fall spinach at least 4–8 weeks before the first fall frost. Anchored to the median first fall freeze (Oct 16). Purdue University Extension

Variety assumption: Assumes an average savoy/smooth variety (about 40–50 days; Penn State lists 50).

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:
Crop rule sources (3)

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