How to Grow Spinach

A cool-season leafy for the home garden across the warmer US.

Spinach is a rewarding cool-season crop for backyard growers.

When to plant

Spinach is a cool-season crop. In the South and Southwest, plant in fall through winter when the heat eases. See your region on the spinach page for exact timing.

Varieties

• Bloomsdale Long-Standing, Slower to bolt (Southern Exposure Seed Exchange)

How to grow it

• Sun & soil: part sun to light shade, rich well-drained soil with even moisture.
• Spacing: about 20 cm (8 in) between plants.
• Sowing: sow about 1 cm deep.
• Water: roughly 4 L per plant every 2 days in hot weather.
• Containers: grows well in a pot of 25cm+.

Pests & problems

Watch for Leaf miner. In humid regions, Downy mildew and Leaf spot can appear, so space for airflow and water at the roots in the morning.

Harvest

Spinach is usually ready to harvest in roughly 8 weeks. Pick regularly to keep plants productive.

When to plant in your region

Pick your region to see exactly when to plant spinach where you garden.

See also: Spinach in the plant library →

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