Orach (Mountain Spinach) in Zone 3a & 3b
Atriplex hortensis
Yes, orach (mountain spinach) grows in zones 3a and 3b. Plant it outside May 16–May 23.
When to plant orach (mountain spinach) in zone 3b
Zones 3a and 3b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 16–May 23 |
| Estimated harvest | Jun 30–Jul 7 (~45 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 3-5 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 3b
These go outside within two weeks of orach (mountain spinach) in zone 3b, so one planting day can cover them.
- OnionMay 9–May 16
- RadishMay 2–May 9
- CarrotMay 9–May 16
- CabbageMay 16–May 23
- LettuceMay 16–May 23
- BroccoliMay 16–May 23
Orach, also called mountain spinach, is a heat-tolerant spinach substitute that keeps producing through summer weather that would send true spinach straight into bolting.
How orach (mountain spinach) fits zone 3's season
Zone 3b's frost-free window runs about 98 days, from May 30 to September 5. Orach (mountain spinach) needs about 45 days from sowing to first harvest.
Orach (Mountain Spinach) planting windows in every zone
Zone 3b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2a & 2b | Not usually | May 6–May 13 | Jun 20–Jun 27 |
| 3a & 3b (your zone) | Not usually | May 16–May 23 | Jun 30–Jul 7 |
| 4a & 4b | Not usually | May 1–May 8 | Jun 15–Jun 22 |
| 5a & 5b | Not usually | Apr 26–May 3 | Jun 10–Jun 17 |
| 6a & 6b | Not usually | Apr 11–Apr 18 | May 26–Jun 2 |
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | Mar 27–Apr 3 | May 11–May 18 |
| 8a & 8b | Not usually | Mar 11–Mar 18 | Apr 25–May 2 |
| 9a & 9b | Not usually | Feb 1–Feb 8 | Mar 18–Mar 25 |
| 10a & 10b | Not usually | Jan 16–Jan 23 | Mar 2–Mar 9 |
| 11a & 11b | Not usually | Dec 18–Dec 25 | Feb 1–Feb 8 |
Harvest dates are about 45 days after the sow or plant-out date.
Zone 2 sows before zone 3 here, which looks wrong and is not. USDA zones rank winter cold, not season length, and zone 2 is mostly interior Alaska, where hard winters come with warm summers. More on what a zone measures.
Good companions
No well-established companions for orach (mountain spinach).
Where to buy orach seeds
True Leaf Market (each supplier's orach seeds)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing orach (mountain spinach)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 3b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Orach (Mountain Spinach) in USDA zone 3b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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