While the plant will probably die back, it will regrow to produce fresh spinach in spring. You can use mulch to cover them just before temperatures drop. If the plants manage to grow to at least 2-3” (5-7.5 cm) before the cold weather arrives they will be able to survive the winter. You can plant your spinach seeds 4-5 weeks before the last frost so that the plants have enough time to get established. Spinach plants are cold hardy, meaning that they can grow in winter, and some varieties will even withstand temperatures up to 15☏ (-9☌). Consider giving your plants 6-8 weeks before the first frost so that they have enough time to fully develop before harvest. Planting in fall is somehow easier again as plants will benefit from the cooler temperatures and shorter days. Some popular varieties for warm conditions include: Bloomsdale Savoy, Tyee, Oceanside, Correnta, Space, Broad Leaved Prickly, Samba, Catalina, Akarenso, Indian Summer, and several others. There are some heat-resistant spinach varieties or “long standing”, which will germinate and grow well in hot weather without bolting. The main problem with heat for spinach, besides germination issues, is that plants could stop growing and produce flowers (bolting) due to heat induced stress. Using a shading fabric over some support hoops is also a good option to keep the soil cooler. We recommend applying a 2” (5cm) layer of mulching in the pathways and beds to cover the soil. Growing spinach plants under summer conditions can be a challenging task, but it is definitely possible. Sow your seeds 3-4 weeks before the last frost when the soil temperatures have reached 35☏ (1.6☌). Planting spinach seeds in spring is easiest as most of the varieties develop well under cool weather conditions. Seeds can take up to 3 weeks to germinate if the soil is too cold, and they also have some trouble germinating if the soil temperature is above 85☏ (29.4☌).

Alternatively, you can also start your spinach seeds indoors 2-3 weeks before the last frost date.įor an ideal germination rate, the soil temperature needs to be between 45-70☏ (5-20☌). You can plant spinach seeds outdoors as soon as you can work the soil, and as early as 4-6 weeks before the last frost. If you are aiming for a continuous supply of fresh leaves throughout the season you should sow new spinach every 1-3 weeks. Spinach seeds need 7-14 days to start sprouting under favorable conditions, and they will need about 5-6 weeks to grow into a mature size.ĭifferent spinach varieties are best suited for different times of the year, some will thrive in low temperatures, while others will tolerate and grow under summer heat. However, if the seeds are somehow old they won’t germinate properly, unless soaked or treated beforehand for better germination. The plant will grow rapidly and without much trouble. The plant forms a long taproot that could be damaged if you don’t transplant the seedlings properly and they will grow rapidly so don’t start your plants more than 2-3 weeks before your last frost.Īlternatively, spinach can also be easily grown from seed in the garden or in containers. One of the most important strategies to have a successful crop is to use the right varieties in the right season.ĭespite the debate, spinach seeds can be successfully started indoors. Factors such as climate, soil, personal preferences, and other factors will determine the best method for each situation. Therefore, there is not really a “best way” to grow spinach. Some varieties will tolerate cold weather to as low as 10 to 20☏ (-12 to -7☌), while others will keep on growing without bolting under warm weather conditions.

They are very easy to clean and are mostly used as processed vegetables.Despite being known as a cool-season crop, spinach can be produced throughout the entire growing season. Smooth Leafed Spinach with smooth and flat leaves.More often than not, they are grown in home gardens.

This type of spinach has partially straight leaves and is so easy to clean. Semi-Savoy Spinach has less crinkled leaves.Savoy Spinach has thick and deep crinkled leaves that are hard to clean.The Savoy, Semi-Savoy, and Flat or Smooth leaf spinach. There are three major varieties of spinach that exist. As a Gardener, it is therefore important to understand different spinach varieties. It is obvious that everyone wants the best delicious tasting spinach. Some spinach varieties taste different from others. Taste is also an important factor to consider. Spinach varieties also take different period to grow and harvest. Some spinach varieties also require different spacing to others during planting. Some do well in cold and others do well at warm temperatures. Some spinach varieties do well in various temperature conditions. This is a very crucial factor to consider when growing spinach.

Picture of spinach seedlings