When to Plant Spinach
Published: April 24, 2026
One of the earliest spring vegetables — sow 4–6 weeks before last frost. Bolts above 75°F. Plant again in late summer for fall harvest; choose bolt-resistant varieties in warm climates.
When to plant spinach
- Direct sow outdoors: 5 weeks before last frost
- Minimum soil temperature: 35°F
- Days to harvest: 40–50 days
- Sun requirement: Full sun to partial shade
- Spacing: 6 inches apart
- Water: 1 inches per week
- Fall crop: Yes — plant 6 weeks before first fall frost
⚠ One of the earliest spring vegetables — sow 4–6 weeks before last frost. Bolts in heat above 75°F. Plant again in late summer for a fall harvest.
Growing Tips for Spinach
- •Direct sow in very cold soil — spinach germinates at 35°F, earlier than almost any other crop.
- •Succession plant every 10 days until 2 weeks before heat sets in for continuous spring harvests.
- •Switch to bolt-resistant varieties like Malabar or New Zealand spinach for summer heat (though technically different species).
- •Fall spinach often overwinters in Zones 6+, producing the earliest harvest of the next spring under row cover.
Companion Planting for Spinach
✅ Plant spinach with
- • Pea
- • Strawberry
- • Radish
- • Lettuce
- • Bean
❌ Avoid planting near
- • Fennel
Common Spinach Pests and Problems
Regional pest pressure varies — see your state guide below for state-specific pest calendars and treatment timing.
Spinach Planting Dates by State
Select your state for exact sow and transplant dates based on local frost calendars.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I plant spinach?
Direct sow spinach 4–6 weeks before your last frost date, as soon as soil can be worked. In Zones 3–5 this is late March to mid-April; in Zones 7–8 it is late February to mid-March. Spinach germinates in soil as cold as 35°F and tolerates light freezes once established.
Can I grow spinach in summer?
Traditional spinach bolts quickly when temperatures exceed 75°F and day length increases. In summer, switch to bolt-resistant varieties like Tyee or Olympia, provide afternoon shade, or grow heat-tolerant substitutes like Malabar spinach or New Zealand spinach, which look and cook like spinach but thrive in heat.
When do I plant fall spinach?
Plant fall spinach 6–8 weeks before your first fall frost date, typically mid-August to mid-September. Fall spinach often produces better than spring crops because plants mature as temperatures cool, and cold weather sweetens the leaves. In Zones 6+, mulched plants often overwinter and produce again in early spring.
Why does my spinach keep bolting?
Spinach bolts (flowers and turns bitter) when days lengthen past 14 hours AND temperatures rise above 75°F. Plant very early in spring to harvest before long days arrive, provide afternoon shade in late spring, choose bolt-resistant varieties, and skip summer plantings in favor of a fall crop.
What should I plant with spinach?
Peas and beans fix nitrogen that spinach needs. Strawberries share similar water and nutrient needs. Radishes break up soil near spinach roots. Lettuce grows alongside without competing. Avoid fennel, which inhibits spinach growth.