Spinach
Spinacia oleracea
Fast-growing medium-green leaves are smooth to slightly savoyed.
Harvest
25d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
6-12 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Spinach in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 lettuce →Zone Map
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Spinach · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | May – June | May – October |
| Zone 4 | — | — | April – June | May – October |
| Zone 5 | — | — | April – May | May – November |
| Zone 6 | — | — | April – May | April – November |
| Zone 7 | — | — | March – May | April – November |
| Zone 8 | — | — | March – April | March – December |
| Zone 9 | — | — | February – March | February – December |
| Zone 10 | — | — | January – March | February – December |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: High Organic Matter. Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Spiny husk (utricle).
Color: Brown/Copper, Cream/Tan. Type: Achene. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Harvest time: Summer
Bloom time: Summer
Edibility: Leaves can be eaten fresh or cooked. Harvest only as needed as fresh leaves only keep in the refrigerator for a few days. Freeze for longer storage.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh spinach keeps best unwashed in the refrigerator, stored in perforated plastic bags or ventilated containers in the crisper drawer. Properly stored, harvest-fresh spinach maintains quality for 7-10 days at 32-35°F with high humidity. Avoid washing until ready to use, as excess moisture accelerates decay.
For longer preservation, blanch leaves in boiling water for 2 minutes, shock in ice water, drain thoroughly, and freeze in portions. Frozen spinach works excellently in cooked dishes but loses texture for raw applications. Dehydrating works well too—dry leaves at 95°F until brittle, then powder for use as a nutrient-dense seasoning.
Avoid canning spinach due to its low acid content and dense texture, which can create food safety issues in home canning. Instead, focus on fermentation: spinach ferments beautifully in kimchi-style preparations or mixed into sauerkraut, adding nutrition and extending storage life to several months when kept refrigerated.
History & Origin
Origin: Central Asia to SW. Siberia
Advantages
- +Edible: Leaves can be eaten fresh or cooked. Harvest only as needed as fresh leaves only keep in the refrigerator for a few days. Freeze for longer storage.
- +Fast-growing
Considerations
- -Toxic (Flowers, Leaves, Stems): Low severity
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Radishes
Break up soil for spinach roots and mature quickly without competing for space
Carrots
Deep roots don't compete with shallow spinach roots, and carrots help aerate soil
Strawberries
Provide ground cover and living mulch while spinach grows vertically
Peas
Fix nitrogen in soil which benefits leafy spinach growth
Garlic
Repels aphids and other pests that commonly attack spinach
Chives
Deter aphids and improve overall garden health with natural pest control
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crop for aphids and flea beetles, protecting spinach
Beans
Fix nitrogen in soil and provide beneficial ground cover
Keep Apart
Fennel
Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit spinach germination and growth
Potatoes
Heavy feeders that compete for nutrients and may shade out spinach
Sunflowers
Allelopathic effects and heavy nutrient competition with shallow-rooted spinach
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346388)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Downy Mildew races 1-3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 19 (High)
Common Pests
Aphids, leaf miners, flea beetles, slugs
Diseases
Downy mildew, fusarium wilt, white rust, damping off