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Spinach
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Young spinach rosette
Pest management: Spinach cultural tips, pests, and diseases
The Basics
When to plant
- Transplant: February–April, September–October (possibly November)
- Direct seed: March–April (possibly February), September–October (possibly November)
- If growing from seed for transplants, allow 4 weeks to be ready.
Harvest window
- Harvest spinach as soon as the leaves are large enough to use.
- You can pick individual outer leaves, or carefully cut the entire plant above the growing point to encourage a second harvest.
- Once the plants mature, it is best to harvest the whole plant rather than just the outer leaves.
Care overview
- To ensure a continuous harvest of tender young leaves, plant in succession every week or two to extend your harvest window.
Recommended Varieties for Santa Clara County*
| Oriental Giant, Hybrid | Giant arrowhead-shaped leaves are sweet and crisp, on long stems held high off the ground. Vigorous plants will produce all winter long. 18–24 inches tall. Plant 8–10 inches apart. |
| Regiment, Hybrid | Tender deep green leaves with sweet, nutty flavor, on high-yielding plants. 10–12 inches tall. Plant 6–8 inches apart. |
Other recommended varieties: America, Bloomsdale Longstanding, Giant Nobel, Tyee F1, Viroflay, New Zealand (summer substitute)
* Many other varieties may also do well here in Santa Clara County. This list is based on UC Master Gardener trials, taste tests, and feedback from local growers.