How to grow spinach
A true cool-season crop. Sow early spring and again in late summer for fall.
Rotation and family
Spinach belongs to the salad & greens (Asteraceae / Amaranthaceae). Quick crops that fill gaps between slower ones.
In a four-bed crop rotation it goes in the leaf & brassica bed. Avoid growing it where any salad & greens grew in the last three years.
Sow a fresh batch every 14 days for a steady supply. The succession planting calculator lists the dates.
When to plant spinach by zone
| Zone | Sow / plant out | Sow for fall |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Apr 8 – May 20 | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| 4 | Mar 31 – May 12 | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| 5 | Mar 19 – Apr 30 | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| 6 | Mar 9 – Apr 20 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| 7 | Feb 25 – Apr 8 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| 8 | Feb 12 – Mar 26 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| 9 | Jan 11 – Feb 22 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| 10 | Dec 21 – Feb 1 | Oct 9 – Oct 30 |
Based on typical frost dates for each zone; b half-zones run about a week earlier in spring. Zones 11–13 are frost-free in most years.
Spinach questions
When should I plant spinach?
Plant spinach outdoors 6 weeks before your last spring frost. For a fall crop, sow about 10 weeks before your first fall frost.
How far apart should I plant spinach?
About 4 inches apart, or 9 per square foot in a square foot garden.
What grows well with spinach?
Traditional companions include arugula, cabbage, cilantro, pea, radish, strawberry.
How long does spinach take to grow?
Typically 40–50 days from sowing to first harvest, depending on variety and weather.