Spinach: Spacing, Yield & Planting Dates
Plant count & yield calculator
Pre-filled for this crop — adjust bed size or pick a different vegetable.
Enter bed size to count plants.
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Show the math & assumptions
Assumptions and formulas will appear here once you calculate.
Seed starting dates
Pre-filled last frost — change the date to rebuild the full crop schedule. For Spinach with this frost date : start indoors ~Mar 18, transplant ~Apr 1, direct sow ~Mar 18 .
Pick a last frost date for the schedule.
Your result
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Show the math & assumptions
Assumptions and formulas will appear here once you calculate.
About spinach
Spinach is a nutrient-dense cool-season green that thrives in the short windows before and after summer, providing iron-rich leaves for salads and cooking.
Spacing & yield
Spinach wants 4×12 inches and about 0.4 lb per plant at ~45 days to maturity.
Growing tips
- Sow as soon as ground can be worked in spring — spinach germinates in soil as cool as 40 F.
- Plant again in late summer for a fall crop that sweetens after light frost.
- Keep soil consistently moist; drying stress triggers bolting even in cool temps.
- Harvest outer leaves frequently to extend the productive window.
Common mistakes
- Planting too late in spring — once day length exceeds 14 hours, bolting is inevitable.
- Crowding plants beyond 4-inch spacing, creating damp conditions that invite downy mildew.
Harvest & storage
Cut outer leaves at 4-6 inches tall, beginning about 45 days from sowing for baby or full-size leaves.
Refrigerate unwashed in a loose bag; use within 5-7 days as spinach wilts quickly.
Companion planting
Good neighbors for spinach: strawberries, peas, beans, brassicas. Avoid planting beside: potatoes.
Planting calendar
Start indoors about 4 weeks before last frost, then transplant 2 weeks before frost. Direct sow is also an option around 4 weeks before frost. Use the seed-starting calculator above with your real county frost date — the April 15 default is only a worked example (zone 6 style).
Estimates only — consult your local extension office for advice specific to your land and animals.
Frequently asked questions
- What spacing does spinach need?
- Plant 4 inches apart within rows 12 inches apart; for baby spinach, sow more densely at 2-inch intervals.
- How much spinach per plant?
- Each plant produces about 0.4 lb of usable leaves over multiple harvests before bolting.
- Can spinach handle frost?
- Yes — spinach tolerates temperatures down to about 20 F and actually sweetens after light freezes.