Field guide
How to grow spinach: planting, care, and harvest guide
Spinach typically reaches first harvest in 35–50 days. This guide covers when to plant by USDA zone, common pests, harvest cues, and companion plants where relevant.
Open plannerWhen to plant spinach by USDA zone group
- USDA Zones 1–4 — April to May
- USDA Zones 5–6 — March to May
- USDA Zones 7–8 — February to April
- USDA Zones 9–10 — January to March
- USDA Zones 11–13 — October to February
Companion plants
Good companions: Strawberries, Peas, beans
Avoid planting with: Potatoes
Harvest
When to pick
- Leaves reach 3-4 inches long
- Outer leaves are dark green and firm
- Harvest before flower stalks emerge (bolting)
How: Pick outer leaves individually or cut the whole plant 1 inch above the crown for regrowth.
Storage: Rinse, spin dry, store in a container lined with paper towels. Lasts 5-7 days in the fridge.
Common pests and problems
Aphids
Signs: Curling leaves, sticky honeydew on leaf surfaces
Control: Spray with water or insecticidal soap. Introduce beneficial insects.
Leaf Miners
Signs: Tan blotches and winding trails in leaves
Control: Remove and destroy affected leaves. Cover with floating row cover to prevent flies from laying eggs.
Downy Mildew
Signs: Yellow patches on upper leaf surface, fuzzy gray growth underneath
Control: Improve air circulation by thinning. Water at soil level, not overhead. Remove infected leaves. Apply copper fungicide if severe.
About this field guide
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