Growing guide

How to Grow Spinach

Cold-hardy, nutrient-dense green that thrives in cool spring and fall weather.

The basics

What spinach need

• Sun — Full sun to partial shade
• Water — Even moisture
• Harvest in 37–50 days
• Difficulty — Easy

When to plant

Time it from your frost date

• Start indoors: Rarely needed
• Transplant: Resents transplanting — direct-sow
• Direct sow: 4–6 weeks before last frost, and late summer for fall/overwinter
• Best in Zones 2–9 (cool seasons)

How to plant

Three steps to a strong start

• 1. Direct-sow ½ in deep in cold soil as early as it can be worked.
• 2. Thin seedlings to 3–6 in to give leaves room.
• 3. Keep evenly moist and harvest before warm weather triggers bolting.

Common problem

Poor germination in heat

Spinach won’t sprout in warm soil — sow in cool conditions or pre-chill seed.

Common problem

Bolting

Long warm days trigger flowering; grow in spring/fall and pick promptly.

Harvest

Picking spinach right

Pick outer leaves as needed or cut the whole plant. Harvest before flower stalks appear, since leaves turn bitter once bolting begins.

Gardeners ask

When should I plant spinach?

In early spring as soon as soil can be worked, and again in late summer for a fall crop. It loves cold weather.

Keep growing

Get the full Spinach guide

Planting dates for your USDA zone, spacing, companions, every common problem — free on Plants by Zone.

Swipe up for the full guide