When to plant spinach
Spinach tolerates frost, so sow outdoors 3–6 weeks before the last frost; for a fall crop, sow 5–8 weeks before the first fall frost. Plant when the soil is at least 35°F.
Spinach dates for Columbus, Ohio (example)
Example dates. Enter your ZIP above for your own.
| Sow outdoors | Mar 9–30 |
|---|---|
| Sow for fall harvest | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Last planting for a harvest before frost | Sep 18 |
| Soil temperature | 35°F or warmer |
| Days to harvest | 40–50 |
| Spacing | 3–6 in apart |
Your spinach year
- Sow outdoors
- Sow for fall harvest
Average last frost Apr 20, first frost Oct 24.
Growing tips for spinach
- Spinach germinates in soil as cold as 35°F, so it is one of the first seeds in the ground.
- Long days trigger bolting; plant again in late summer for a better fall crop.
- Fall-sown spinach often survives winter under mulch and regrows early in spring.
For a steady harvest, sow every 2 weeks: see the succession planting calculator.
When to plant spinach in major cities
Calculated from each city's NOAA 1991–2020 average frost dates.
| City | Zone | Plant / sow | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 7b | Feb 16 – Mar 9 | Sep 25 – Oct 16 |
| Chicago, IL | 6b | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 10b | Dec 14 – Jan 4 | Oct 20 – Nov 10 |
| Houston, TX | 9b | Dec 22 – Jan 12 | Oct 30 – Nov 20 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 10a | Nov 24 – Dec 15 | Nov 8–29 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 7b | Feb 16 – Mar 9 | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Dallas, TX | 8b | Jan 19 – Feb 9 | Oct 4–25 |
| Atlanta, GA | 8a | Feb 10 – Mar 3 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Seattle, WA | 9a | Jan 30 – Feb 20 | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Denver, CO | 6a | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Boston, MA | 7a | Feb 21 – Mar 14 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Minneapolis, MN | 5a | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Kansas City, MO | 6b | Feb 21 – Mar 14 | Sep 7–28 |
| Nashville, TN | 7b | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | Sep 5–26 |
| Portland, OR | 9a | Jan 14 – Feb 4 | Oct 6–27 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 7b | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Columbus, OH | 6b | Mar 9–30 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Charlotte, NC | 8a | Feb 16 – Mar 9 | Sep 8–29 |
| Detroit, MI | 6b | Mar 10–31 | Sep 5–26 |
| Raleigh, NC | 8a | Feb 14 – Mar 7 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
Spinach planting FAQ
When should I plant spinach?
Spinach tolerates frost, so sow outdoors 3–6 weeks before the last frost; for a fall crop, sow 5–8 weeks before the first fall frost. Plant when the soil is at least 35°F.
How many days until spinach is ready to harvest?
Most spinach varieties take about 40–50 days from sowing. Check the seed packet: early varieties are at the low end.
Can spinach survive frost?
Yes. Spinach tolerates frost and light freezes, which is why they can be planted weeks before the last frost date.
How far apart should I plant spinach?
Space spinach 3–6 in apart.
What is the last date I can plant spinach?
Count the variety's days to maturity back from your first fall frost, allowing a week or two extra because spinach tolerates light frost. Enter your ZIP code on this page and Seasonwise calculates the date for you.
Ask about growing spinach
Enter your ZIP above first and answers will use your local frost dates. Written by an AI model; double-check anything important.