How do you Grow Spinach from Seed?

This can be a difficult question to answer for beginner gardeners because of complex factors like weather, soil, and pests.

This article will help solve this problem and give ALL experience levels of gardeners Easy-to-Follow Tips on growing spinach from seed.

And I recommend scrolling to the bottom of this page to find answers to the 5 most frequently asked questions most gardeners have when growing spinach.

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Tip #1: Choose THESE 4 Spinach Types

While there are hundreds of varieties of spinach you can grow, I am recommending 3 kinds to choose from.

These are the easiest types when trying to learn how to grow spinach from seed.

A) Savoy Spinach

Savoy Spinach is one of the most popular types of spinach in North America.

For gardeners that live in an area that gets colder temperatures or who wish to grow spinach longer into the gardening season then Savoy Spinach is for you.

This type of spinach is the most productive, has crinkled leaves, and are a dark green color.

The only disadvantage of this spinach is that it grows so low to the ground that it tends to take longer to clean after harvest.

Two of the most popular types of Savoy Spinach are Regiment and Bloomsdale.

B) Semi-Savoy Spinach

Semi-Savoy Spinach is another incredibly popular and easily grown type of spinach in North America.

If you plan on growing spinach at home this is the type that you should grow.

It is the most disease-resistant type of spinach and also the least prone to bolt. This makes it perfect in areas that have hot summers.

Not only this, but grows upright, making it much less easier to clean after harvest due to little dirt getting splashed on it.

Finally, the leave colors are slightly less dark than savoy and also less crinkled.

It should be noted the most popular types of Semi-Savoy Spinach is Tyee, Teton, and Catalina.

C) Flat-Leaf Spinach

The final type of Spinach is called Flat-Leaf Spinach.

This type of Spinach has smooth leaves and is the easiest to clean making it the most popular type of Spinach for processing.

Like Semi-Savoy Spinach, it grows upright and is less prone to bolting than Savoy Spinach.

Space and Red Cardinal are the most popular types of Flat-Leaf Spinach.

Tip #2 Starting Seeds Indoors

Because of its ability to withstand low temperatures, growing spinach from seed can happen indoors and outdoors. Please read below for instructions on how to grow spinach from seed both indoors and outdoors.

Step 1 – Begin Planting Seed 6 weeks Before the Last Frost

You will want to start your seeds inside approximately 6 weeks before you plan on moving your spinach into your garden or moving your planter outside.

You will first want to start by buying your seed. I recommend buying from Amazon because it is quick and inexpensive.
You will then want to take 3-inch GrowKo Peat Pots and fill them up to approximately 80% full with Miracle-Gro Potting Mix.
Next, spray your soil 5 to 8 times with a spray bottle. You will want the soil to be moist, not damp. Damp soil can cause unwanted fungus.

*Find Your Last Frost Date HERE*

Step 2 – Lightly sprinkle 4-5 Seeds Per Pot

Because of how small spinach seeds are it is sometimes to grab the1 or 2 seeds and plant them. Instead, sprinkle 4-5 seeds per pot about 1/8 inch deep and then gently brush the soil over the seeds. *Note, it is ok if more than 5 seeds fill a hole.
Then spray the soil again 5 to 8 times until it turns a dark color.

The video below also gives a great tutorial on how to plant seeds.

Step 3 – Provide Your Seeds with At Least 8 Hours of Sunlight

After planting your seeds, provide at least 8 hours of sunlight by placing the pots by a window or a Grow Light if your windows do not receive enough sunlight.

*If you put your seeds closer than 4 inches they will burn and die. If you put them further away than 4 inches there is a chance they won’t get enough sun to germinate.*

You will also want to keep the room temperature between 50-65 degrees Fahrenheit. With that being said, you can even grow spinach seeds in temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

This is the temperature needed so that your seeds can turn into plants.

If you don’t have an area that will stay consistently around 50-65 degrees, I would recommend investing in a Plant Heating Mat.

A Plant Heating Mat is the perfect way to keep your pots and seeds at a consistent temperature that we may not otherwise be able to.

Step 4 – Spray, Spray, Spray

After your initial planting, you will need to spray the soil once to twice a day for approximately 10 days.

It will take approximately 10 days for your seeds to germinate or “pop” through the soil.

Once your seeds have germinated and sprouted through the soil, you will want to continue to spray them twice a day for 4 more months until they are ready to transplant outside.

Step 5- Prune & Transplant your Spinach Plant into a Larger Pot

Once your spinach grows for about 3-4 weeks you can either begin to thin it to allow only one plant to grow or keep all plants in the pots. If you keep all plants there is a chance that they will not grow as full as just one spinach.

You can do this by taking scissors and snipping the smaller of the plants right at the soil line. This will allow the healthier spinach plant to grow to its full potential.

Next, you can transplant your spinach plant to a 5 Gallon Nursery Pot.

Again, you will want to fill these pots about 80% full with your potting mix.

Next, you will want to make a hole approximately 3 inches deep (about the size of your spinach plant at this point).

Then turn your existing small pot upside down, pinch the bottom of it, and then gently pull the soil and your plant out.

You will then place it in your 5-gallon pot and fill it with soil.

Immediately after you do this, spray the soil about 5 to 10 times.

You will then want to leave your spinach in this pot until it is ready to transplant outside.

Step 6 – Introduce your Spinach to Outside Weather

This next step is what most beginner gardeners miss, but is critical to your success.

For about two weeks, you will want to slowly introduce your Spinach to outside.

On the first day, you will want to place your Spinach (still in its pot) outside in direct sunlight for approximately 2 hours.

Each day thereafter, place the Spinach outside for an additional hour until you build up to 6 straight hours.

Tip #3: Transplant Spinach Outside

Once the last frost of the year has happened you can transplant your Spinach outside. If you transplant your spinach before the last frost it may die. To help prevent this I recommend planting it in a raised garden bed.

Related: Best Raised Garden Beds

Below, is a 2 step process for transplanting your Spinach outside into your garden.

Step 1 – Do THIS if you will be keeping your Spinach in its container all summer!

If you decide to keep your Spinach in the pots then there is no need to transplant. You will only need to apply compost or Miracle-Gro Potting Mix

Apply approximately 1/4 inch of potting mix to your planter
As soon as you apply your fertilizer make sure to water the Spinach for approximately 15 to 30 seconds
Every week until harvest water your Spinach twice a day and keep it in full sun to promote fruit growth.

If you want to learn more about growing Spinach in containers, I recommend watching the below video:

Step 2 – Do THIS to Transplant your Spinach into your Garden!

About 1 month before you plan on transplanting your spinach into a garden dig holes about 8 inches deep and filling it with compost. Space holes 12-18 inches apart.
Dig your holes in an area that will receive partial shade.
Then after the last frost transplant your spinach into the garden exactly the same way you transplanted it into the larger pots.
Immediately after you transplant your spinach outside add
Miracle-Gro Plant Food and water the soil for about 30 seconds.
Finally, water your spinach once a day for about 30 seconds. Continue doing this until you harvest your spinach mid-summer.
- Related To: Best Garden Hoses

Tip #4: Starting Spinach Seeds in a Garden

Spinach is one of the easiest vegetables to grow outside, no matter where you live.

Whether you do not have the ability to start your seeds indoors or just want to start your seeds directly in a garden then I recommend following the below directions:

Step 1: Start Your Seeds After the Last Frost

You should always start your spinach seeds after the last frost. Spinach seeds will germinate best at temperatures between 50-65 degrees Fahrenheit.

With that being said, they can even grow in weather as low as 40 degrees!

If you want to know your last frost date then I recommend Clicking HERE.

Step 2: Plant Your Seeds This Way!

Once you decide to start seeds outside you will want to do the following simple steps:

Find a location that is partial shade and cooler and has a pH level between 6.0-7.0.
Dig 1/8 inch holes with the tip of your finger or a pencil.
Keep holes approximately 2 feet apart to allow for the most spinach grow.
Lightly sprinkle 4-5 spinach seeds in each spot. It should be noted that not all seeds will germinate and you can always thin your plants out after they grow.
Lightly cover your seeds and spray 8-10 times until the soil turns a dark brown color.

Step 3: Continue Watering your Seeds

After you initially plant your spinach seeds you will want to water them 2-3 times a day until the soil is dark brown.

You will do this until the seeds germinate and then continue doing this until they become at least 3 inches tall.

*If the weather is hotter than usual for your garden then you may need to water several more times a day then described above.

Tip #5: Effectively Care for your Spinach THIS Way!

Below are caring tips for your Spinach throughout the summer:

Keep Your Soil Healthy – Quickly inspect your soil for fungus, harmful insects, and weeds before you plant and throughout the summer. Remove and replace it with new soil as needed.
Water the soil, not the plants. By watering leaves, you increase the risk of spreading fungus and other diseases. Do not overwater as it will increase the likelihood of disease.
Remove diseased and dead plants. This is the easiest way to prevent the spread of deadly diseases. If you notice yellow spots on leaves it means you may have blight fungus and will want to remove the leaves.
Plant your spinach at a new spot yearly. This is key to preventing seasonal diseases and insects from attacking the same plants year in and year out.
Prevent Insects. The best way to prevent them is through an insecticide. If you don’t want aphids, slugs, or cabbage worms ruining all your hard work I recommend purchasing Garden Safe Pesticide

Tip #6: Effectively Harvest Spinach THIS Way!

Below are several tips to remember when harvesting Spinach:

Harvest your Spinach 3 to 10 weeks after planting.
Harvest your spinach frequently. This will help thin it out, ensure the best flavor possible, and helps to prevent seeding.
Always pick your spinach where it meets the stalk.
Pick your spinach from the outside to the inside.

Frequently Asked Questions (5 Questions)

1. What are the best ways to store spinach?

Below, will give you several guidelines to store spinach longer:

Once you harvest your spinach it will store at room temperature for only 1-day maximum.
If you wash your spinach and place it in a zip-lock bag your spinach can last 2-3 days.
If you wash your spinach and place it in a zip lock bag with several layers of damp paper towels your spinach can store in the fridge for up to 1 week.

2. What are the Best Uses for Spinach?

There are numerous uses for spinach in food. Below, are some of the best ways to use spinach:

Salads
Sandwiches
Salad Wraps
BLT
Related: 40 Spinach Recipes

3. What type of Spinach Seeds should I Use?

There are four types of seeds that can be used to grow spinach; heirloom, organic, hybrid, and GMO.

I recommend using Heirloom or Hybrid seeds. Gardeners do not have access to GMO seeds and organic seeds is a marketing term and not truly a type of seed.

A. Heirloom

These seeds contain all the spinach original traits and produce some of the most beautiful and best-tasting spinach out there.
The downside of this seed is that it is the costliest (due to its rarity).
In addition, expect the least amount of yield from this type of seed due to susception of disease and other elements.

B. Hybrid

Hybrid seeds were made from combining the genes of the same group of plants. This is not a bad thing.
This type of seed is what most gardeners use when learning how to grow spinach from seed.
The goal with hybrids is to produce a plant that contains the best features of both parent plants.
This seed is critical if you want the most resistant plant against mother nature’s elements, insects, and diseases or want the most yield!

4. What Type of Fertilizer Should I Use for My Spinach?

The best type of fertilizer for spinach is compost.

Related: Ultimate Composting Guide: What to Compost
Related: Yimby Tumbler Composter: 5 Reasons to Buy Today

And if you don’t have the time or ability to create compost then I recommend buying Miracle-Gro Plant Food for your spinach.

5. What Type of Soil Should I Use for My Spinach Plants?

If you will be keeping your spinach plants in containers all year then you will want a well-draining potting mix that provides the correct amount of nutrients like Miracle-Gro Potting Mix.

If you will be planting your spinach into a garden then you will want to add a nutritious garden soil mix into the ground, such as Miracle-Gro Expand N Gro

The Gardening Dad

How to Grow Spinach from Seed (6 EASY Tips)