Magenta Spreen in Zone 4a & 4b
Chenopodium giganteum
Yes, magenta spreen grows in zones 4a and 4b. Plant it outside Apr 24–May 1.
When to plant magenta spreen in zone 4b
Zones 4a and 4b 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 | Apr 24–May 1 |
| Estimated harvest | Jun 8–Jun 15 (~45 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 2 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 4-6 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 4b
These go outside within two weeks of magenta spreen in zone 4b, so one planting day can cover them.
- OnionApr 24–May 1
- RadishApr 17–Apr 24
- CarrotApr 24–May 1
- CabbageMay 1–May 8
- LettuceMay 1–May 8
- BeetApr 24–May 1
Magenta spreen is a relative of lambsquarters and quinoa, grown as much for its looks as for eating; young leaves and growing tips carry a distinctive magenta-pink dusting that fades as the plant matures.
How magenta spreen fits zone 4's season
Zone 4b's frost-free window runs about 128 days, from May 15 to September 20. Magenta spreen needs about 45 days from sowing to first harvest.
Magenta Spreen planting windows in every zone
Zone 4b 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 | Apr 29–May 6 | Jun 13–Jun 20 |
| 3a & 3b | Not usually | May 9–May 16 | Jun 23–Jun 30 |
| 4a & 4b (your zone) | Not usually | Apr 24–May 1 | Jun 8–Jun 15 |
| 5a & 5b | Not usually | Apr 19–Apr 26 | Jun 3–Jun 10 |
| 6a & 6b | Not usually | Apr 4–Apr 11 | May 19–May 26 |
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | Mar 20–Mar 27 | May 4–May 11 |
| 8a & 8b | Not usually | Mar 4–Mar 11 | Apr 18–Apr 25 |
| 9a & 9b | Not usually | Jan 25–Feb 1 | Mar 11–Mar 18 |
| 10a & 10b | Not usually | Jan 9–Jan 16 | Feb 23–Mar 2 |
| 11a & 11b | Not usually | Dec 11–Dec 18 | Jan 25–Feb 1 |
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 magenta spreen.
Where to buy magenta spreen seeds
None of the seed suppliers we list carries magenta spreen seeds right now. A local garden center or a specialty seed house is the place to look.
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing magenta spreen" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 4b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Magenta Spreen in USDA zone 4b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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