Spinach in Zone 5a & 5b
Spinacia oleracea
When to plant spinach in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b 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 12–Apr 19 |
| Estimated harvest | May 22–May 29 (~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 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. 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 5b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Spinach in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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