Crop guide · Spinacia oleracea
Spinach
Dates below are counted from the average last spring frost or the average first fall frost. Enter a ZIP in the calendar for NOAA 1991–2020 station averages, or pick a zone and use the zone table.
When to plant
Direct sow6 weeks before the average last spring frost.
SuccessionRepeat every 2 weeks, 1 more time.
Direct sow8 weeks before the average first fall frost.
SuccessionRepeat every 2 weeks, 2 more times.
Soil and site
Rich, nitrogen-heavy soil, pH 6.5–7.5 — spinach sulks in acidic beds.
Seedlings
Seed germinates poorly above 75°F soil. For late-summer sowing, pre-chill seed in the fridge for a week and sow in evening shade.
In the garden
The hardiest green here. Rows 12 in apart.
Picking
Take outer leaves from 6 weeks on. Under a low tunnel it overwinters and explodes with growth in February.
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Dates by zone
These pages turn the same frost offsets into calendar dates for each zone the calendar covers.