Spinach in Zone 4a & 4b
Spinacia oleracea
When to plant spinach in zone 4b
Zones 4a and 4b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. Spinach doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 17–Apr 24 |
| Estimated harvest | May 27–Jun 3 (~40 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 9 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 0.5-1 ft.
Spinach is one of the fastest, most cold-tolerant greens you can grow, direct-seeded a full month before your last frost, but it's also quick to bolt once the weather warms, so the growing window is short and worth planning around rather than fighting.
How spinach fits zone 4's season
Zone 4b's frost-free window runs about 128 days, from May 15 to September 20. Spinach needs about 40 days from sowing to first harvest.
Good companions
- Radish: Radish breaks up soil and matures quickly alongside spinach.
Where to buy spinach seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing spinach" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 4b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Spinach in USDA zone 4b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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