How Long Does It Take to Grow Spinach?

Growing spinach is one of the most rewarding experiences in gardening. Whether you’re planting it in your backyard, in raised beds, or in containers, spinach is an excellent crop that grows quickly and provides a steady harvest.

If you’re wondering how long it takes to grow spinach, the answer depends on factors like the variety, growing conditions, and how soon you plan to start harvesting.

Image by lawn.com.au

I’ve grown spinach many times, and one thing I love about it is how fast it matures. It’s one of those leafy greens you can start harvesting in just a few weeks.

If you’re growing it for fresh salads, green smoothies, or cooking, knowing the right timeline helps ensure a successful and productive harvest. Let’s dive into the details and break down how long it really takes to grow spinach.

How Long Does It Take for Spinach to Grow?

Spinach is considered a fast-growing vegetable. Most varieties take anywhere from 30 to 50 days to reach full maturity, but you can start harvesting baby spinach leaves as early as three weeks after planting.

The actual growing time depends on the spinach variety you choose. Here’s a general timeline for different spinach growth stages:

Growth Stage	Timeframe	Description
Germination	5-10 days	Seeds sprout and tiny leaves emerge.
Baby Leaf Harvest	20-30 days	Small, tender leaves can be picked for salads.
Full Maturity	35-50 days	Plants are fully grown with larger leaves.
Bolting Stage	Varies (warmer weather triggers it)	Plants start flowering and leaves turn bitter.

Now, let’s go step by step through the spinach growing process to understand how to get the best results.

Choosing the Right Spinach Variety

Different spinach varieties grow at different speeds. If you’re in a hurry and want a quick harvest, opt for fast-growing varieties like Baby’s Leaf Hybrid or Matador Spinach.

If you prefer a more heat-resistant variety, try Malabar Spinach (although it’s technically not a true spinach, it thrives in warm climates).

Some common spinach varieties and their growth times:

• Bloomsdale Spinach – 40-50 days (slow to bolt, good for spring planting)
• Space Spinach – 30-40 days (fast-growing, resistant to disease)
• Giant Noble Spinach – 45-50 days (produces large leaves, good for cooking)
• Baby’s Leaf Spinach – 20-30 days (ideal for salads, fast-growing)

Best Time to Plant Spinach

Spinach is a cool-season crop, meaning it grows best in spring and fall. If you plant it in early spring, you’ll have a harvest before the summer heat arrives. If you plant it in late summer to early fall, you’ll get a second crop before winter.

For most regions in the U.S., the best planting times are:

• Spring Planting: 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost
• Fall Planting: 6-8 weeks before the first expected frost

Spinach can also survive mild winters if you cover it with row covers or plant it in a cold frame.

How to Grow Spinach from Seeds

Planting spinach is pretty simple, but it’s important to follow the right steps to get the best results. Here’s what I do when I plant spinach in my garden.

Preparing the Soil

Spinach grows best in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Before planting, I always loosen the soil and mix in compost or organic matter to give the seeds a good start.

• Soil Temperature: Spinach seeds germinate best when the soil temperature is 45-75°F.
• Sunlight: Spinach prefers full sun to partial shade, especially in warmer climates.

Planting the Seeds

1. Sow seeds directly in the soil about ½ inch deep and 1 inch apart.
2. Water lightly after planting to keep the soil moist.
3. Once the seedlings emerge, thin them out to 3-4 inches apart to allow space for growth.

If you want a continuous harvest, plant new spinach seeds every two weeks for a steady supply of fresh leaves.

Taking Care of Growing Spinach

Once your spinach is in the ground, proper care is key to keeping it healthy and productive.

Watering

Spinach likes consistent moisture, but it doesn’t like being waterlogged. I usually water it about 1 inch per week, and if the weather is dry, I water more frequently.

Fertilizing

Spinach doesn’t require heavy feeding, but adding a nitrogen-rich fertilizer, like fish emulsion or compost tea, helps promote leafy growth. I usually fertilize once when the seedlings are about two weeks old.

Mulching

Adding a layer of mulch around the plants helps retain moisture and keeps the soil cool, which is important in warmer weather.

Protecting from Pests

Common spinach pests include aphids, leaf miners, and slugs. If I see aphids, I simply spray them off with water. For slugs, I use crushed eggshells or diatomaceous earth around the plants.

How to Harvest Spinach

The great thing about spinach is that you can harvest it multiple times during the season.

• Baby Spinach Leaves: Pick small leaves when they’re about 3-4 inches long (usually around 20-30 days after planting).
• Full-Grown Leaves: Harvest larger leaves at 35-50 days for cooking or freezing.
• Cut-and-Come-Again: Instead of pulling out the whole plant, I cut the outer leaves first, allowing the inner leaves to keep growing for more harvests.

How to Prevent Spinach from Bolting

Bolting is when the spinach plant starts flowering and goes to seed, making the leaves bitter. This happens when temperatures get too warm.

To prevent bolting:

• Plant early in spring or late in summer.
• Provide partial shade in warm weather.
• Harvest regularly to keep the plant producing leaves instead of flowers.

Growing Spinach Indoors

If you want fresh spinach all year round, you can grow it indoors in containers.

• Use a wide, shallow container with drainage holes.
• Fill it with high-quality potting mix.
• Place the container in a bright location (south-facing window or under grow lights).
• Keep the soil moist and harvest leaves as needed.

Spinach grows well indoors, and it’s a great way to have fresh greens even in winter.

FAQs

How fast does spinach grow after planting?

Spinach takes about 5-10 days to germinate and around 30-50 days to reach full maturity, depending on the variety.

Can I harvest spinach multiple times?

Yes! Spinach grows back after harvesting if you cut only the outer leaves and leave the center growth intact.

Why is my spinach turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves usually mean overwatering, poor soil drainage, or a lack of nitrogen. Adjust watering and add compost or fertilizer if needed.

Can spinach survive frost?

Yes, spinach is cold-hardy and can survive light frosts. Some varieties can even handle temperatures as low as 20°F.

What happens if my spinach bolts?

Once spinach starts flowering, the leaves become bitter. If you see signs of bolting, harvest the leaves quickly before they turn too tough.

Conclusion

Growing spinach is a fast and rewarding process. Whether you’re looking for quick baby greens or full-sized leaves, spinach grows in as little as 30-50 days. By choosing the right variety, planting at the right time, and taking care of the plants properly, you’ll have a steady supply of fresh spinach throughout the season.

If you haven’t grown spinach before, now is the perfect time to start. It’s one of the easiest greens to grow, and nothing beats the taste of fresh, homegrown spinach straight from the garden!