Basics

Ease of Growing
Easy
Grown as
Annual
Days to Maturity
39-60 (Spring/Summer), 49-70 (Fall/Winter)
Growing Habit
-
Hardiness
Super Hardy

Spinach is temperamental when it comes to heat and long days. Keep it evenly moist without soaking leaves.

Crops
Spring Transplant, Spring, Fall Transplant, Fall
Growing Season
Short, Long
Cultivar Type
-
Growing Conditions
Cold, Cool

More than any other common crop, spinach doesn't like warm weather. It actually germinates best at only 50 degrees F. It germinates more rapidly at higher temperatures, but at 70 degrees F only about half the seeds will germinate.

Spinach bolts when exposed to long summer days, so it is usually grown as a spring or autumn crop. It's much less prone to bolting in the shorter, cooler days and the leaves grow larger and more succulent.

Each plant doesn't produce very much, so it is usually grown in wide intensive beds. Raised beds are good because they warm up quickly in spring and tend to be well drained.

Outdoor Growing Temp
45°F - 75°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp
45°F

Spinach germinates well at low temperatures.

Start Indoors
Yes
Start Outdoors
Yes
Light
Sun: min. 6 hours daily (Cool)

Spinach needs full sun for good growth, particularly for a fall or over-wintering crop.

Spinach doesn’t like heat and in warmer areas it should be planted in a shady site.

Water
Moderate

Keep the soil evenly moist (not wet) otherwise it may bolt. Fortunately this isn't usually a problem in the cool weather preferred by spinach.

Try to avoid splashing mud on the leaves as it can make them gritty.

Feeder
Moderate

Spinach needs a moderate amount of nitrogen and potassium and a fairly small amount of phosphorous.

Suitability
Tolerates light frost, Tolerates hard frost, Partial shade, Needs summer shade
Small Gardens?
Yes
Containers?
Yes

Spinach can work well in containers, though they need to be sufficiently large (ideally a two gallon pot for each plant). In larger containers allow 12" between the plants for best growth.

In warmer areas you should use light colored pots to reduce heat absorption.

Attracts beneficial insects?
No
Color
Deep green
Fruit Size
- "
Plant Height
12.0 - 18.0"
Plant Diameter
6.0 - 8.0"
Hardiness Zone
5-10
Disease Resistance
Taste Profile

Very flavorful and tender.

Rotation Group
Leaves: Brassicas + Leafy Greens