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Spinach

Spinacia oleracea
Also known as: Garden Spinach

Spinach is a vegetable in the Amaranthaceae family. It grows best in full sun to part shade with medium moisture, and is listed for USDA zones 2-13. Plants reach harvest about 25–69 days after planting and sit about 4 inches apart.

Varieties

22 from True Leaf Market, High Mowing & Seeds Now · sorted by days to maturity
  • Lakeside - Hybrid25–60 days

    Container; Vegetable; Annual

    Spinach Seeds - Lakeside - Hybrid. Non-GMO. Spinacea oleracea. 25-30 days maturity for baby leaf, 40-60 days to full maturity. Cool season annual. Lakeside has uniform thick dark green smooth leaves. It has a round to oval leaf shape with an upright plant habit that makes it easy to harvest. It is a very versatile variety it can be uses for baby leaf, bunch or clip. ~ 2,500 seeds / oz.

    View on True Leaf Market
  • Seaside - Hybrid25–60 days

    Container; Vegetable; Annual

    Spinach Seeds - Seaside - Hybrid. Non-GMO. Spinacea oleracea. 25-30 days maturity for baby leaf, 40-60 days to full maturity. Cool season annual. Seaside is a very uniform baby leaf variety. It has a moderate growth rate and an upright plant habit. Seaside has a nice, smooth, thick, very dark green, spade-shaped leaf making it a perfect choice for baby leaf growers. ~ 2,500 seeds / oz.

    View on True Leaf Market
  • Regiment F131–43 days

    Spring/fall/overwinter; Giant leaf-type

    Resistance: HR: Downy Mildew (1-7, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18)

    Vigorous plants pack on the weight, producing healthy bunches in no time. Very quick growing, lightly savoyed leaves with a distinctive arrowhead shape and bright-eyed, medium green finish. Excellent texture and mild flavor. Good resistance to bolting and can withstand extremely damp conditions. Excellent performance in the field or tunnel. Precision sized.

    Growing notes: Days to maturity are from direct seeding. Spinach is a cool- season hardy annual that thrives in fertile and moist soil. Spinach is sensitive to soil pH, preferring a range of 6.5-7.0. Direct seed as soon as soil can be worked in the spring and until early fall. Seed germinates best when soil temperatures are 32-60°F. Overwintered spinach is best started in late summer and harvested in late winter when days begin to get longer. Store washed spinach close to freezing and at high humidity for 10-14 days.

    View on High Mowing
  • America34–46 days

    Direct sow; Grows well with containers; Grows well with raised beds; Matures in <90 days; Start indoors

    America Spinach will produce a beautiful dark green plant in only 40 days - Excellent flavor - Extremely easy to grow - Grows best during the cooler months - Grows really well in containers and other small spaces How to Grow | Spinach is very hardy and can tolerate cold — in fact, it thrives in cold weather. Spinach grows really well during winter months in the South. Spinach also grows well in early spring and late summer in the North. These seeds should be planted about four weeks before your area's average date of last frost. Days to Maturity | 40 days

    View on Seeds Now
  • Butterflay34–46 days

    Field variety; Spring/fall

    Productive variety sporting very large, glossy dark green leaves with rich flavor. Butterflay stole the show among the hybrid and open-pollinated spinach varieties in our fall trials, exhibiting better vigor and emergence than any other variety, as well as unmatched intense green color.

    Growing notes: Days to maturity are from direct seeding. Spinach is a cool- season hardy annual that thrives in fertile and moist soil. Spinach is sensitive to soil pH, preferring a range of 6.5-7.0. Direct seed as soon as soil can be worked in the spring and until early fall. Seed germinates best when soil temperatures are 32-60°F. Overwintered spinach is best started in late summer and harvested in late winter when days begin to get longer. Store washed spinach close to freezing and at high humidity for 10-14 days.

    View on High Mowing
  • Space F134–46 days

    All-season variety

    Resistance: HR: Downy Mildew (1-3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 19)

    Vigorous, all-season spinach with thick, glossy leaves that are smooth to slightly savoyed. A favorite variety of commercial growers, the plants are highly resistant to downy mildew and perform well in variable weather for all-season production. Resistant to bolting with deep green leaves that maintain excellent flavor. A high yielder due to the long harvest window and exceptional field holding quality. From Bejo Seeds. Precision sized.

    Growing notes: Days to maturity are from direct seeding. Spinach is a cool- season hardy annual that thrives in fertile and moist soil. Spinach is sensitive to soil pH, preferring a range of 6.5-7.0. Direct seed as soon as soil can be worked in the spring and until early fall. Seed germinates best when soil temperatures are 32-60°F. Overwintered spinach is best started in late summer and harvested in late winter when days begin to get longer. Store washed spinach close to freezing and at high humidity for 10-14 days.

    View on High Mowing
  • Early Hybrid No 736–40 days

    Container; Vegetable; Annual

    Early Hybrid No. 7 Spinach Seeds. 36 to 40 Days. F1 Hybrid, Non-GMO. Spinacia oleracea. Large green semi-savoyed leaves. A great choice for home garden or market growers. Can be sown twice each season. ~ 2,100 Seeds / Oz.

    View on True Leaf Market
  • Matador37–49 days

    Field/tunnel; Fall/overwinter; Winter hardy

    Top-yielding variety with strong cold tolerance. The growth habit of this plant makes for excellent baby spinach production and its smooth leaves allow for easy washing. From Kultursaat, biodynamic breeders in Germany, this variety outperforms other cold-tolerant varieties and develops exceptionally well when overwintered. Unavailable in 2024

    Growing notes: Days to maturity are from direct seeding. Spinach is a cool- season hardy annual that thrives in fertile and moist soil. Spinach is sensitive to soil pH, preferring a range of 6.5-7.0. Direct seed as soon as soil can be worked in the spring and until early fall. Seed germinates best when soil temperatures are 32-60°F. Overwintered spinach is best started in late summer and harvested in late winter when days begin to get longer. Store washed spinach close to freezing and at high humidity for 10-14 days.

    View on High Mowing
  • Renegade F137–49 days

    Field/tunnel; All-season variety; Bolt resistant

    Resistance: HR: Downy Mildew (1-7, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18)

    Ultimate bolt tolerance with smooth, dark green oval leaves. Grows a bit slower than Corvair F1 but excels in quality of leaf when handled; never prone to brittleness or cracking. Good disease and virus resistance; ideal for winter high tunnels. Precision sized.

    Growing notes: Days to maturity are from direct seeding. Spinach is a cool- season hardy annual that thrives in fertile and moist soil. Spinach is sensitive to soil pH, preferring a range of 6.5-7.0. Direct seed as soon as soil can be worked in the spring and until early fall. Seed germinates best when soil temperatures are 32-60°F. Overwintered spinach is best started in late summer and harvested in late winter when days begin to get longer. Store washed spinach close to freezing and at high humidity for 10-14 days.

    View on High Mowing
  • Abundant Bloomsdale38–52 days

    OSSI; Tunnel/field; Spring/fall; Ideal for full sized leaves

    Delicious, glossy, dark green leaves with the most savoyed texture we’ve seen. Thick, sweet-tasting leaves with rounded shape and juicy, succulent texture. Slow growing with large, upright leaves in the mild Pacific Northwest and slightly more compact habit in our Northeast trials. Started at the Abundant Life Seed Foundation in 2002; breeding finished by a team of organic farmers with support from Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) and released under the Open Source Seed Initiative. A portion of this variety's sales supports OSA’s breeding program. Limited availability in 2024

    Growing notes: Days to maturity are from direct seeding. Spinach is a cool- season hardy annual that thrives in fertile and moist soil. Spinach is sensitive to soil pH, preferring a range of 6.5-7.0. Direct seed as soon as soil can be worked in the spring and until early fall. Seed germinates best when soil temperatures are 32-60°F. Overwintered spinach is best started in late summer and harvested in late winter when days begin to get longer. Store washed spinach close to freezing and at high humidity for 10-14 days.

    View on High Mowing
  • Acadia F138–52 days

    Field/tunnel; Spring/fall/overwinter; Baby leaf

    Resistance: HR: Downy Mildew (1-13, 15, 16)

    Acadia is a vigorous baby-leaf spinach with very dark, slightly savoyed, slightly cupped leaves that have good loft and are easy to wash. Upright plants are easy to harvest and slow to bolt across seasons, and the variety overwinters well. Adaptable to both spring and fall plantings. An organic hybrid from Vitalis Organic Seeds.

    Growing notes: Days to maturity are from direct seeding. Spinach is a cool- season hardy annual that thrives in fertile and moist soil. Spinach is sensitive to soil pH, preferring a range of 6.5-7.0. Direct seed as soon as soil can be worked in the spring and until early fall. Seed germinates best when soil temperatures are 32-60°F. Overwintered spinach is best started in late summer and harvested in late winter when days begin to get longer. Store washed spinach close to freezing and at high humidity for 10-14 days.

    View on High Mowing
  • Bloomsdale38–52 days

    Direct sow; Grows well with containers; Grows well with raised beds; Matures in <90 days; Start indoors

    Bloomsdale Spinach is a cold-hardy heirloom variety prized by gardeners for its tender, nutrient-rich leaves and savory taste. The deeply savoyed foliage resists bolting in cool seasons, making it ideal for succession planting throughout spring and fall. This vigorous grower produces abundant harvests whether you pick individual leaves or cut entire plants. Perfect for fresh salads, cooking, or storage. Germinates quickly in cool soil and adapts well to containers or garden beds. Produces heavy, glossy, dark green leaves. Excellent flavor. Extremely easy to grow. How to Grow | Spinach is very hardy and can tolerate cold — in fact, it thrives in cold weather. Spinach grows really well during winter months in the South. Spinach also grows well in early spring and late summer in the North. These seeds should be planted about four weeks before your area's average date of last frost. Days to Maturity | 45 days Overall, Bloomsdale Spinach produces heavy, glossy, dark green leaves with excellent flavor. This extremely easy-to-grow variety thrives in cold weather, making it perfect for winter gardening in the South and early spring or late summer planting in the North. Plant seeds about four weeks before your area's last frost date. Ready to harvest in 45 days.

    View on Seeds Now
  • Bloomsdale Longstanding38–52 days

    Field or tunnel; Early spring/fall crop; Ideal for overwintering

    Bloomsdale Longstanding is a very cold-hardy heirloom spinach with dark green, heavily savoyed leaves. Best grown for early spring and fall, it has good cold-soil emergence but tends to bolt in heat. It performs well in winter greenhouses or overwintered outdoors under mulch. The original Bloomsdale spinach traces to D. Landreth Seed Company in the 1800s.

    Growing notes: Days to maturity are from direct seeding. Spinach is a cool- season hardy annual that thrives in fertile and moist soil. Spinach is sensitive to soil pH, preferring a range of 6.5-7.0. Direct seed as soon as soil can be worked in the spring and until early fall. Seed germinates best when soil temperatures are 32-60°F. Overwintered spinach is best started in late summer and harvested in late winter when days begin to get longer. Store washed spinach close to freezing and at high humidity for 10-14 days.

    View on High Mowing
  • Matador Viking38–52 days

    Direct sow; Grows well with containers; Grows well with raised beds; Matures in <90 days; Start indoors

    Matador Viking Spinach will produce beautiful large and smooth dark green spinach leaves in only 45 days - Excellent flavor - Full of nutrients - Extremely easy to grow - Grows best during the cooler months - Grows really well in containers and other small spaces How to Grow | Spinach is very hardy and can tolerate cold — in fact, it thrives in cold weather. Spinach grows really well during winter months in the South. Spinach also grows well in early spring and late summer in the North. These seeds should be planted about four weeks before your area's average date of last frost. Days to Maturity | 45 days

    View on Seeds Now
  • Monstrueux De Viroflay38–52 days

    Direct sow; Grows well with containers; Grows well with raised beds; Matures in <90 days; Start indoors

    Monstrous Viroflay spinach is a variety of spinach known for its large, dark green leaves and delicious flavor. It is a popular choice among gardeners and spinach enthusiasts due to its impressive size and nutritional value. This variety of spinach is named after the town of Viroflay in France, where it was first cultivated. It is known for its vigorous growth and ability to produce abundant harvests. Monstrous Viroflay spinach is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron, calcium, and fiber. It is a nutrient-dense leafy green that can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes, including salads, sautés, and smoothies. One of the key features of Monstrous Viroflay spinach is its size. The leaves can grow up to 10 inches long, making them perfect for salads or as a side dish. The large leaves also make it easier to harvest and prepare the spinach. When growing Monstrous Viroflay spinach, it is important to provide it with well-drained soil and ample sunlight. This variety thrives in cool weather and can be planted in early spring or late summer for a fall harvest. Monstrous Viroflay spinach is a versatile and nutritious addition to any garden or kitchen. Its impressive size, delicious taste, and health benefits make it a favorite among spinach lovers. How to Grow | Spinach is very hardy and can tolerate cold — in fact, it thrives in cold weather. Spinach grows really well during winter months in the South. Spinach also grows well in early spring and late summer in the North. These seeds should be planted about four weeks before your area's average date of last frost. Days to Maturity | 45 days

    View on Seeds Now
  • Nobel Giant38–52 days

    Direct sow; Grows well with containers; Grows well with raised beds; Matures in <90 days; Start indoors

    The Noble Giant spinach is heavy, glossy, dark green plant with leaves that are heavily savoyed and crumpled - Extremely delicious and one of the most popular spinach varieties you can grow in your garden - Very easy to grow How to Grow | Spinach is very hardy and can tolerate cold — in fact, it thrives in cold weather. Spinach grows really well during winter months in the South. Spinach also grows well in early spring and late summer in the North. These seeds should be planted about four weeks before your area's average date of last frost. Days to Maturity | 45 days

    View on Seeds Now
  • Chinese - Green Arrow - Hybrid40–60 days

    Container; Vegetable; Annual

    Resistance: HR: Downy Mildew (Race 1-11, 14, 15)

    Spinach Seeds - Chinese - Green Arrow - Hybrid. Annual. Spinacea oleracea. Asian Type. Non GMO. 40 to 60 days to maturity. Pointed Leaves in a dark green color. Slow bolting, cold and heat tolerant. Light pink root. Resistant to DM race 1-11, 14,15. Can be sowed in spring, summer and fall seasons. Spinach is a cool weather crop. Seeds prefer to germinate in cold weather. ~ 2,500 seeds / oz.

    View on True Leaf Market
  • Viroflay40–50 days

    Heirloom; Container; Vegetable; Annual

    Non-GMO, Heirloom Viroflay Spinach Vegetable Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Spinacia oleracea. Viroflay Spinach Seeds originate from France around the 17th century and have been cultivated in Paris. The crisp rich-green leaves of this French heirloom grow 10" long, are fast-maturing and can be harvested earlier than others! As a hardy cool season crop, this semi-savoyed spinach, also known as "Monster Spinach" provides less oxalic acid than other varieties with sweeter flavor. Large-leaf annual spinach is easy to plant in your summer or fall garden, as it develops abundantly. Viroflay Spinach is also used to make medicine, treat illness, boost brain health and aid digestion.

    View on True Leaf Market
  • Giant Winter42–58 days

    Tunnel; Fall/overwinter; Baby or full sized leaves

    Dark green, glossy leaves are deeply savoyed and selected for cold hardiness. High-yielding variety recommended for fall crops, winter greenhouse production, or overwintering outdoors under mulch. Incredibly cold hardy; specifically developed for overwintering for a spring crop.

    Growing notes: Days to maturity are from direct seeding. Spinach is a cool- season hardy annual that thrives in fertile and moist soil. Spinach is sensitive to soil pH, preferring a range of 6.5-7.0. Direct seed as soon as soil can be worked in the spring and until early fall. Seed germinates best when soil temperatures are 32-60°F. Overwintered spinach is best started in late summer and harvested in late winter when days begin to get longer. Store washed spinach close to freezing and at high humidity for 10-14 days.

    View on High Mowing
  • Winter Giant42–58 days

    Heirloom; Container; Vegetable; Annual

    50 days. Spinacia oleracea. Winter Giant Spinach Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, heirloom, open-pollinated. This crop is suitable for garden plots, raised beds, and containers. Winter Giant is a very cold-hardy spinach selected for late fall and early winter crops, with large, savoyed, deep-green leaves that stay sweet in cool weather. ~2,100 seeds/oz.

    View on True Leaf Market
  • Giant Noble45–48 days

    Heirloom; AAS Winner; Container; Vegetable; Annual

    Non-GMO. Heirloom. Giant Noble Spinach Vegetable Garden Seed. Spinacia oleracea. The smooth and rich-green leaves of these spinach plants help provide this heirloom's name" as Giant Noble Spinach leaves grow 25" long! Also known as "Smooth Leaf Spinach" this verdant and subtly sweet vegetable produces for a long summer harvest and gives a savory flavor when cooked. Excellent variety for canning or freezing. The big thick leaves hold up well. 2,500 seeds/oz.

    View on True Leaf Market
  • Dash - Hybrid51–69 days

    Container; Vegetable; Annual

    Spinach Seeds - Dash -Hybrid. Non-GMO. Spinacea oleracea. 60 days. Cool season annual. Extra-early spinach hybrid that suitable for growing under low temperatures, especially during winter in warm areas. Cold tolerance for fall to winter harvest and can tolerate some heat. The upright growing plants have good leaf shape, medium green color, excellent flavor and uniformity. Medium bolting. Prefers mild and cool temperatures. ~ 2,500 seeds / oz.

    View on True Leaf Market
Family
Amaranthaceae
Category
Vegetable
Form
Rosette
Lifecycle
annual
Zone
2-13
Height
0.5–1 ft
Spread
0.5–1 ft
Sun
Full sun to part shade

Plant spacing

9 plants per square footSquare-foot planting diagram: a 1-foot square divided into a 3-by-3 grid holding 9 spinach plants spaced 4 inches apart.
9 plants per square foot

In a square-foot bed, space spinach about 4 in apart — that fits 9 plants in each 1-foot square (3×3). Wider rows or containers space the same.

Water
Medium

Plan your spinach planting

Add spinach to a free GardenDraft plan and get sow, transplant, and harvest dates computed for your ZIP code — with a drag-and-drop bed layout and reminders when it’s time to plant.

Start your free plan →

At a glance

Days to harvest
25–69 days
From transplant or sow to first harvest
Harvest style
Keep picking
Crops over several weeks
After harvest
Use right away
Quality drops fast past peak
Frost tolerance
Hardy · to ~10°F
Lowest temperature the foliage usually survives
Succession
Re-sow every 14 days
Sow again at this interval for a continuous harvest
Germination
~60%
Typical minimum germination rate

Storing & preserving

Best used right away — quality drops fast. Refrigerate in a bag with a paper towel; best within a week.

  • Freeze: Cooking greens freeze after blanching; salad greens don't.

General home-preservation guidance — for tested processing times and safety, follow the National Center for Home Food Preservation.

Growing timeline

When to plant and harvest spinachPlanting timeline for spinach, relative to last frost: grow from 6 weeks before last frost to 2 weeks before last frost; harvest from 2 weeks before last frost to 4 weeks after last frost.GrowHarvestLast frostDirect sow
Direct-sow spinach 6 weeks before last frost; first harvest 2 weeks before last frost.
Outdoor planting
-42 to -21 days vs frost
Propagation
Seed
Schedule anchor
Last Frost

Companion planting — with cited sources

From US/Canada cooperative-extension publications and peer-reviewed studies. Evidence-tier dots show how strongly each recommendation is backed: ●●● peer-reviewed mechanism · ●● extension consensus · traditional knowledge with a plausible mechanism.

Pairs well with (6)

  • StrawberryEvidence tier B: Extension consensus across multiple US/Canada land-grant institutionsshade-shelter

    Spinach inter-row planting in strawberry beds is a documented Northeast practice: spinach matures in cool spring conditions before strawberry foliage fills in and bolts as strawberries take over. Mutual bed-use benefit.

    Timing: Direct-seed spinach in early spring between strawberry rows; harvest by the time strawberries flower.

    Region: Northeast, Upper Midwest, Eastern Canada.

    Source: S1, Penn State Extension

  • CilantroEvidence tier C: Traditional practice with plausible mechanism but limited empirical replicationpredator-attract

    Cilantro umbels attract syrphid adults whose larvae predate spinach aphids; both crops share cool-season culture making the pairing practical.

    Source: S1, S5

  • Common OnionEvidence tier C: Traditional practice with plausible mechanism but limited empirical replicationpest-deter

    Allium volatiles may mask spinach from leafminer flies; widely recommended in extension home-garden guides though direct evidence is limited.

    Source: University of Maryland Extension

  • Common RadishEvidence tier C: Traditional practice with plausible mechanism but limited empirical replicationshade-shelter

    Cool-season co-planting — both germinate quickly and have similar moisture/temperature windows. Spatial-efficiency pairing.

    Source: University of Maryland Extension

  • Lamb's LettuceEvidence tier C: Traditional practice with plausible mechanism but limited empirical replicationshade-shelter

    Mâche and spinach share cool-season cultural needs (overwintered baby greens), and Northeast small-farm guides describe them as compatible companions in overwintered cold-frame plantings because of similar pH, harvest cycle, and pest profile.

    Timing: Sow late summer to early fall for winter and early spring harvest.

    Region: Northeast overwintering systems.

    Source: University of Vermont Extension, Eliot Coleman

  • Mountain SpinachEvidence tier C: Traditional practice with plausible mechanism but limited empirical replicationshade-shelter

    Orach (Atriplex hortensis) is grown as a heat-tolerant spinach substitute and can be succeeded with or interplanted next to spinach as the season warms to extend the leaf-green supply.

    Timing: Transition: sow orach 3-4 weeks before spinach bolts in spring.

    Source: S7

Avoid planting near (2)

  • Common BeetEvidence tier B: Extension consensus across multiple US/Canada land-grant institutionsdisease-host, alternate-host-pest

    Beet and spinach share the spinach/beet leafminer (Pegomya hyoscyami) and Cercospora leaf spot. Avoid sequential plantings or interplant with caution.

    Source: S1, University of Maryland Extension

  • QuinoaEvidence tier B: Extension consensus across multiple US/Canada land-grant institutionsalternate-host-pest

    Shares leafminer (Liriomyza/Amauromyza spp.) with quinoa, so separate plantings reduce pest carryover. NOTE: their downy mildews are different Peronospora species (P. effusa vs P. variabilis) and do not cross-infect, so disease sharing is not a basis here.

    Source: S22, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Good successors in rotation (1)

  • StrawberryEvidence tier C: Traditional practice with plausible mechanism but limited empirical replicationsoil-conditioning

    Spinach is commonly recommended as a fall-planted cool-season companion or predecessor for strawberry beds because both prefer cool, fertile, well-drained soils and spinach finishes before strawberry runners spread. Treat as rotation/early-spring intercrop, not a long-season pair.

    Source: S1, University of Maryland Extension

Sources cited

S1
Cornell University Cooperative Extension — vegetable production guides
S14
University of Vermont Extension
S22
University of Saskatchewan / Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
S25
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
S27
Eliot Coleman — *The New Organic Grower*
S5
Michigan State University Extension
S6
Penn State Extension
S7
University of Minnesota Extension
S9
University of Maryland Extension — Home & Garden Info Center

Care & troubleshooting— extension-sourced, with citations

When to feed, prune & water

Mulch to suppress weeds and retain moisture

Mulch
  • Routine careApply organic mulch around plantsstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Spread a few inches of straw, shredded leaves, or compost around established plants (keeping it off stems) to hold soil moisture, suppress weeds, and moderate soil temperature; wait until soil has warmed for heat-loving crops.

    Source: UMN Extension; Missouri Botanical Garden

Plan crop rotation

Rotation
  • Routine careRotate plant families between bedsstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Avoid planting the same family in the same bed in consecutive years (aim for a 3+ year gap), grouping crops by family so soilborne diseases and pests that build up don't carry over to the next susceptible crop.

    Source: UMN Extension; Cornell

  • Routine careSequence for soil healthmoderate evidence — extension confidence

    Follow heavy feeders like tomatoes and brassicas with legumes or a cover crop to support soil fertility and structure, and keep simple notes each year so you can track where each family grew.

    Source: UMN Extension

Protect the garden from rabbits and voles

Protection
  • Routine careFence out rabbitsstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Surround beds with 1-inch mesh chicken wire at least 2 feet tall with the bottom buried or staked down a few inches so rabbits can't push under it.

    Source: UMN Extension; Cornell CCE

  • Routine careReduce vole habitat and guard stemsstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Keep grass and mulch pulled back from plant bases and crowns to remove vole cover, mow surrounding vegetation, and use hardware-cloth guards around vulnerable woody stems before winter.

    Source: UMN Extension; Cornell CCE

Thin beet-family seedlings

Thinning
  • Routine careThin clusters to one plant each· every 2 wks · ~2 wksstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Beet/chard 'seeds' are clusters, so several sprout together. Thin to one strong seedling every 3-4 in; the thinnings are edible greens.

    Source: UMN Extension

Clean up debris and sanitize at season end

Sanitation

Unusual this time of year.

  • Routine careRemove spent plants and fallen debrisstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Pull and clear old plants, dropped fruit, and leaf litter at season end, since many pests and diseases overwinter in this debris; dispose of diseased material rather than composting it.

    Source: UMN Extension; Cornell

  • Routine careClean tools, stakes, and cagesmoderate evidence — extension confidence

    Wash and sanitize stakes, cages, and tools that touched diseased plants before storing or reusing them to avoid carrying pathogens into next season.

    Source: Cornell; UMN Extension

Something looks wrong?

Describe what you see on your spinachand we'll rank the likely causes — most likely first, least-invasive fix first.

Blister beetles

Pestmoderate

Symptoms: swarms of elongated soft-bodied beetles; rapid defoliation of leaves and flowers; gray, black, or striped beetles clustered on plants; skeletonized foliage on tomatoes and beans

  • CulturalHand-pick wearing gloves· every 2 daysmoderate evidence — extension confidence

    Wear gloves (these beetles release a blistering fluid) and knock beetles into soapy water, or use row cover ahead of swarms; their larvae eat grasshopper eggs, so tolerate light feeding when you can.

    Source: UMN Extension; Missouri Botanical Garden

  • OrganicSpot-treat heavy swarms· every 1 wkmoderate evidence — extension confidence

    If a large swarm threatens a planting, a pyrethrin or other labeled insecticide can knock them back per the label; avoid spraying open blooms to protect pollinators.

    Always follow the product label — it is the law.

    Source: Missouri Botanical Garden

Cercospora leaf spot on beet and chard

Diseasemoderate

Symptoms: small round spots with tan-to-gray centers and reddish-purple borders; spots coalescing and turning gray; heavy spotting on outer leaves; foliage browning and dying back in warm humid weather

  • CulturalRotate, space out, and water at the basestrong evidence — extension confidence

    The fungus survives on debris and spreads by splashing water, so rotate beds, space plants for airflow, and water at the soil rather than overhead. Remove and discard heavily spotted outer leaves and clear crop residue after harvest.

    Source: UMass Extension; UMN Extension

  • OrganicApply a copper fungicide if spreading· every 10 daysmoderate evidence — extension confidence

    If spotting is severe and weather stays warm and humid, apply a labeled copper fungicide preventively per the label, before the disease takes over the planting.

    Always follow the product label — it is the law.

    Source: UMass Extension

Japanese beetles

Pestmoderate

Symptoms: leaves skeletonized between veins; lacy chewed foliage; metallic green-bronze beetles clustered on plants; feeding worst in warm midsummer sun

Potassium deficiency

Deficiencymoderate

Symptoms: yellowing and browning along older leaf margins; scorched curled leaf edges; weak stems; poor or uneven fruit ripening; symptoms starting on lower, older leaves

  • CulturalConfirm with a soil test firststrong evidence — extension confidence

    Edge scorch on older leaves has several causes, so get a soil test before adding potassium; over-applying can lock out magnesium and calcium.

    Source: UMN Extension; Missouri Botanical Garden

  • OrganicApply potassium per soil-test guidancemoderate evidence — extension confidence

    If the test confirms low potassium, apply a potassium source (such as sulfate of potash) at the labeled/test-recommended rate and keep watering even, since drought worsens uptake.

    Always follow the product label — it is the law.

    Source: UMN Extension

Read: diagnosing leaf spots & yellowing

Slugs & snails

Pestmoderate

Symptoms: large ragged holes with smooth edges; slimy silvery trails; damage worst after rain and overnight

  • CulturalTrap, hand-pick at night, reduce cover· every 2 days · ~3 wksstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Pick at night with a flashlight, set shallow beer traps, water in the morning so soil dries by dusk, and clear damp hiding spots.

    Source: UC IPM: Snails and Slugs

  • OrganicIron-phosphate bait - label use only· every 1 wk · ~3 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence

    Scatter a labeled iron-phosphate slug bait sparingly per the label; it's pet- and wildlife-safer than metaldehyde.

    Always follow the product label — it is the law.

    Source: UC IPM

White Rust (Spinach)

Diseasemoderate

Symptoms: white-to-cream blister-like pustules on leaf undersides; yellow blotches on upper leaf surface; curling and distortion of leaves; rapid spread in dense, wet plantings

  • CulturalRotate, bury debris, and use partial-resistant cultivarsstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Use 3-year rotations away from spinach, deep-plow infected residue, and choose partially resistant cultivars, since no fully resistant variety exists for this oomycete.

    Source: PNW Handbooks; Univ. of Maryland (DRUM)

  • CulturalReduce leaf wetness and crowdingmoderate evidence — extension confidence

    Avoid overhead irrigation and very high planting densities to shorten leaf-wetness periods that favor infection.

    Source: PNW Handbooks

Spinach downy mildew

Diseasemoderate

Unusual this time of year.

Symptoms: irregular pale-yellow patches on upper leaf surfaces; gray to purplish fuzzy growth on leaf undersides; yellowing spreading across leaves; leaves dying in cool damp weather

  • CulturalUse resistant varieties and improve airflowstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Resistant cultivars are the most reliable control, so choose seed listing downy mildew resistance and space plants for good airflow. Avoid overhead watering, harvest cleanly rather than cutting for regrowth, and remove infected leaves promptly.

    Source: UMass Extension; UC IPM Spinach

Wireworms

Pestmoderate

Unusual this time of year.

Symptoms: patchy poor germination; seedlings die in stretches; tunneled holes in potatoes and root crops; hard shiny orange-brown worms in soil; thinning stands after sod or grass

  • CulturalRotate away from grassy groundstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Avoid planting susceptible crops right after sod, pasture, or grass cover, where wireworms build up; rotate to a less-favored crop and let infested beds dry out between plantings.

    Source: UMass Extension: Wireworms; UC IPM: Wireworms

  • CulturalBait-trap to monitor· every 5 days · ~3 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence

    Bury pieces of carrot or potato or a handful of soaked wheat seed as bait when soil reaches about 50F, check after several days, and remove the worms you find to gauge and reduce pressure.

    Source: UMass Extension: Wireworms

Aphids

Pestlow

Symptoms: clusters of tiny soft-bodied insects on new growth and undersides; sticky honeydew or sooty mold; curled distorted new leaves; ants tending them

  • CulturalBlast off with water· every 3 days · ~2 wksstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Knock colonies off with a strong jet of water in the morning; repeat every few days. Light infestations rarely need more.

    Source: UC IPM: Aphids

  • OrganicInsecticidal soap - label use only· every 1 wk · ~3 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence

    For persistent colonies apply insecticidal soap to undersides per label. Avoid open flowers.

    Always follow the product label — it is the law.

    Source: UC IPM

Bolting (premature flowering)

Disorderlow

Symptoms: plant sends up a tall central flower stalk; leaves turn bitter; growth turns leggy; happens during heat and long days in lettuce, spinach, and brassicas

Leaf miners

Pestlow

Symptoms: winding pale tunnels inside the leaf; pale blotches between the upper and lower leaf surfaces; tunnels/blotches that can't be rubbed off because the larva is inside

  • CulturalPick mined leaves + row cover· every 5 days · ~3 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence

    Remove and bag leaves with tunnels, and cover plants with insect netting to block the egg-laying flies. Damage is mostly cosmetic on leafy crops.

    Source: UMN Extension