Spinach
Spinacia oleracea
Also known as: Spinach
Cold-hardy leafy green rich in iron and vitamins. Best grown in spring and fall. Bolts quickly in warm weather.
Growing Requirements
Planting Schedule
Start Indoors
4–6 weeks before last frost
Direct Sow (Spring)
4–6 weeks before last frost
Transplant Outdoors
-4–9 weeks after last frost
Fall Sow
6–8 weeks before first frost
Germination
5–14 days
Days to Harvest
37–50 days
Zone Suitability
USDA Hardiness Zones
Zones 2–11
Very cold hardy. Can survive light frosts. Bolts in long days and heat.
Companion Plants
Good Companions (9)
Strawberry
Fragaria × ananassa
Compatible cool-season ground-level companions
Confidence: Medium
Garlic
Allium sativum
Garlic deters aphids and leaf miners from spinach
Confidence: Medium
Onion
Allium cepa
Allium scent deters pests near spinach
Confidence: Medium
Radish
Raphanus sativus
Radish breaks soil and harvests quickly as spinach fills in
Confidence: Medium
Snap Pea
Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon
Peas fix nitrogen that benefits spinach growth
Confidence: Medium
Cauliflower
Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
Spinach provides ground cover and retains moisture for cauliflower
Confidence: Medium
Lettuce
Lactuca sativa
Compatible cool-season companions with similar water needs
Confidence: Medium
Bell Pepper
Capsicum annuum
Low ground cover retains soil moisture for peppers
Confidence: Medium
Eggplant
Solanum melongena
Low ground cover retains moisture for eggplant
Confidence: Medium