How to grow Spinach

Spinacia oleracea

Spinach should be kept evenly watered to ensure good growth. Feed regularily with compost tea or fish emulsion every 10 days or so. When plants are established, mulch to keep moisture levels consistent and to deter weeds.

Growing Spinach from seed

Spinach seeds germinate at relatively low temperatures, so germination does not require greenhousing or heated environments.

Try to aim for a seed spacing of at least 3.12 inches (8.0 cm) and sow at a depth of around 0.49 inches (1.25 cm). For optimal germination, soil temperature should be a minimum of 8°C / 46°F.

By our calculations*, you should look at sowing Spinach about 60 days before your last frost date .

Transplanting Spinach

Spinach doesn’t tend to like being transplanted as seedlings, so sow spinach seeds directly into the ground as soon as the ground can be worked.

For a continuous harvest, try to plant every 2 – 3 weeks. Thin spinach seedlings when they are about 4 inches (10 cm) tall to prevent overcrowding (you can use the cut seedlings in salads).

Spinach is half hardy, so ensure you wait until all danger of frost has passed in your area before considering planting outside - as a guideline, the minimum temperature outside should be approximately 0°C / 32°F.

Harvesting Spinach

Harvest spinach leaves as you require them from the outside of the plant – or harvest entire plants when they reach maturity.

How long does Spinach take to grow?

These estimates for how long Spinach takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Days to Germination How long does it take Spinach to germinate?
9 days

Average 9 days | Min 2 days | Max 26 days (718)

Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Spinach?
+ 22 days

Average 22 days | Min 3 days | Max 57 days (37)

Days to Maturity How long until Spinach is ready for harvest / bloom?
+ 41 days

Average 41 days | Min 13 days | Max 87 days (32)

Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Spinach?
= 72 days

When should I plant Spinach?

Our when to plant Spinach estimates are relative to your last frost date.

When to sow The number of days to sow Spinach before or after your last frost date.
60 days before Last Frost Date

Other names for Spinach

Spinach perpetual

Misspellings: Spinacea oleracea, Spinacia oleria

Footnotes


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