When to plant spinach by city
Sow spinach outdoors 3–6 weeks before your last frost. For a fall crop, sow 6–8 weeks before your first fall frost. Here is what that means for 2027 in cities across the US, using each city’s average frost dates (NOAA 1991–2020). Pick the city with the climate most like yours, or enter your ZIP code above.
| City | Last frost | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA (9a) | Mar 13 | Jan 30 – Feb 20 | Sep 22 – Oct 6 |
| Portland, OR (8b) | Feb 25 | Jan 14 – Feb 4 | Oct 6–20 |
| Sacramento, CA (9b) | Jan 12 | Dec 1–22 | Oct 21 – Nov 4 |
| Phoenix, AZ (10a) | Jan 5 | Nov 24 – Dec 15 | Nov 8–22 |
| Salt Lake City, UT (7b) | Mar 31 | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Sep 13–27 |
| Denver, CO (6a) | Apr 30 | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Aug 17–31 |
| Dallas, TX (8b) | Mar 2 | Jan 19 – Feb 9 | Oct 4–18 |
| Minneapolis, MN (5a) | Apr 23 | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Kansas City, MO (6b) | Apr 4 | Feb 21 – Mar 14 | Sep 7–21 |
| Chicago, IL (6b) | Apr 10 | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | Sep 10–24 |
| Columbus, OH (6b) | Apr 20 | Mar 9–30 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Nashville, TN (7b) | Apr 1 | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | Sep 5–19 |
| Atlanta, GA (8a) | Mar 24 | Feb 10 – Mar 3 | Sep 13–27 |
| Raleigh, NC (8a) | Mar 28 | Feb 14 – Mar 7 | Sep 13–27 |
| Philadelphia, PA (7b) | Mar 30 | Feb 16 – Mar 9 | Sep 22 – Oct 6 |
| Boston, MA (7a) | Apr 4 | Feb 21 – Mar 14 | Sep 14–28 |
In frost-free parts of Florida, southern California and the Gulf Coast, timing is about heat instead: grow spinach from fall through winter.
Spinach spacing
In a square-foot bed, plant 9 per square foot. In traditional rows, space plants about 4 inches apart with 12 inches between rows.
Bolts as days lengthen. Sow early in spring and again in late summer.
How to grow spinach
Spinach is a true cool-season crop. It grows fast in the cool, short days of early spring and fall, and bolts as days lengthen and warm. Sow it early, harvest quickly, and sow again in late summer for a fall crop that often overwinters.
Sun and soil
Full sun to light shade in fertile, well-drained soil. Spinach is sensitive to acidic soil; aim for a pH of 6.5–7.5. Water 1–2 inches a week.
Planting
- Sow ½ inch deep 3–6 weeks before the last frost, as soon as soil can be worked and is at least 40°F.
- Thin to 4 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart.
- For fall, sow 6–8 weeks before the first fall frost. Seed germinates poorly above 80°F, so wait for late-summer soil to cool or shade the bed.
- Plants with 4–5 leaves can overwinter under mulch in many areas for an early spring harvest.
Care
- Keep soil evenly moist; heat and moisture swings toughen leaves.
- Side-dress with nitrogen about 4 weeks after sowing for dark, tender leaves.
- Choose slow-bolting varieties for late-spring sowings.
- Row cover protects plants from frost and leafminer flies.
Harvest
Pick outer leaves when they are large enough to use, or cut whole plants 1–2 inches above the soil; they often regrow. Once a flower stalk starts to form, harvest the whole planting, since leaves quickly turn bitter.
Common problems
- Bolting: Long days and warm weather trigger flowering. Sow early, use slow-bolting varieties, and switch to fall plantings.
- Leafminers: Tan tunnels and blotches in leaves. Remove mined leaves promptly and use row cover.
- Downy mildew: Yellow patches with gray-purple fuzz underneath in cool, wet weather. Grow resistant varieties, space plants, and water in the morning.
- Aphids: Crinkled, curled leaves. Spray with water or insecticidal soap.
Varieties to try
- 'Bloomsdale Long Standing' — savoyed heirloom, slow to bolt
- 'Tyee' — semi-savoy hybrid, bolt resistant
- 'Space' — smooth leaves, easy to wash
- 'Melody' — semi-savoy, vigorous
Crop rotation
Spinach belong to the beet family (Amaranthaceae). Beets, chard and spinach share leaf spot diseases. Relatives that count as the same family for rotation: beet, swiss chard.
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant spinach?
What grows well with spinach?
How far apart should I plant spinach?
How long do spinach take to grow?
Can spinach handle frost?
Sources
- Frost dates: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
- Hardiness zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, USDA-ARS and PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University.
- Planting windows and spacing: Vegetable Planting Guide (GardenNotes #720), Colorado State University Extension, and other land-grant extension guides.
- Gardening with Companion Plants (EM128E), Linda Chalker-Scott, Washington State University Extension, 2023
- Spinach in the Garden — Utah State University Extension