When to plant spinach
Short answer
Plant spinach about 5 weeks before your last spring frost. In a mid climate (zone 5) that's around Mar 11. Enter your ZIP for your exact dates.
| Climate zone | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | Dec 11 | Jan 25 |
| Zone 2 | — | Jan 11 | Feb 25 |
| Zone 3 | — | Feb 3 | Mar 20 |
| Zone 4 | — | Feb 23 | Apr 9 |
| Zone 5 | — | Mar 11 | Apr 25 |
| Zone 6 | — | Mar 26 | May 10 |
| Zone 7 | — | Apr 10 | May 25 |
| Zone 8 | — | Apr 27 | Jun 11 |
Higher climate-zone numbers are colder, so planting shifts later. Spinach is a hardy crop. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for your exact zone and dates.
What sets the timing for spinach
When to plant spinach comes down to one date: your last spring frost. Spinach is a hardy crop, so it goes in about 5 weeks before your last spring frost. In a mid climate (zone 5) that's around Mar 11.
Spinach is usually sown straight into the ground — no indoor start needed. From there it's roughly 45 days to harvest.
Because that anchor date moves with climate, plant-out for spinach ranges from about Feb 3 in warm zone 3 to Apr 10 in cold zone 7. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for the exact dates in your zone.
What sets the timing
| Factor | Effect on timing |
|---|---|
| Frost anchor | Timing counts from your last spring frost |
| Hardiness | Spinach is hardy — it goes in before the last frost |
| Indoor start | Direct-sow — no indoor start needed |
| Days to harvest | About 45 days from planting to harvest |
| Climate zone | Higher (colder) zones push plant-out later; warmer zones let you start sooner |
| Soil & weather | Tolerates cool soil and light frost |
How spinach compares
Plant-out date in a mid climate (zone 5), against an early hardy crop and a late tender one.
| Crop | Plant outside (zone 5) |
|---|---|
| Peas (hardy · plants early) | Mar 11 |
| Spinach | Mar 11 |
| Tomatoes (tender · plants late) | Apr 29 |
Tips for growing spinach
- Start spinach early — it tolerates cool soil and a light frost, so you can plant before your last spring frost.
- Count roughly 45 days from planting to harvest, and stagger sowings a few weeks apart for a longer picking window.
- Enter your ZIP in the calculator for spinach dates tuned to your exact climate zone.
Your exact dates
Open the planting calendarOther crops
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant spinach?
Plant spinach about 5 weeks before your last spring frost. In a warmer zone 4 that's around Feb 23; in a colder zone 6, Mar 26.
Can I direct sow spinach?
Yes — spinach is usually sown directly in the garden rather than started indoors.
How long until spinach is ready to harvest?
About 45 days from planting until first harvest. In zone 6, spinach planted around Mar 26 is typically ready near May 10.