When to plant spinach?

Updated 4 November 2026 · By the Orto editorial team

Sow spinach where it will grow, once the air is around 15-20 °C: the RHS gives mid to late spring and late summer to early autumn, and in Sicily the written months are March to June or September to October. In Campania the cycles are spring, summer-autumn and autumn-winter, with no fixed month, and in the heat the plant bolts.

Rows of young spinach seedlings with dark green oval leaves

When, by region

	North	Centre	South
Season	Mid to late spring, and again from late summer to early autumn. Indoors from early spring. Cover from October. Repeat until the air reaches 27 °C.	In Umbria there are varieties for summer sowing and for autumn-winter sowing, up to two crops a year. No month is written. Sow once the air is around 15-20 °C.	In Sicily, March to June in a temperate climate, September to October in a mild one: autumn is better, to avoid the extremes. In Campania: spring, summer-autumn, autumn-winter.
How	Direct, 2.5 cm deep, rows 20 cm apart. Thin to 7.5 cm, then to 15 cm. If you do transplant, at about 10 cm tall, from mid-spring.	As in the north. In Campania the depth is 0.8-1.5 cm.	In Sicily, 1-2 cm, plants 30-35 cm apart, rows 30-40 cm apart. The average cycle, in Campania, is 45-65 days; in Sicily the harvest is generally at 6-8 weeks.

Transplanting makes it more likely to bolt. The southern month is from Sicily; elsewhere, temperature decides.

Mid to late spring, late summer to early autumn, 15-20 °C, 2.5 cm, rows 20 cm apart, 7.5 cm and covering from October, are from the RHS. Soil at 4-10 °C (40-50 °F) to start, repeat sowings until the air reaches 27 °C (80 °F), and June flowering even in cool weather, are from University of Minnesota Extension. Germination at 20-25 °C, growth at 25 °C, 0.8-1.5 cm, the three cycles and 45-65 days, are from Campania. March to June and September to October, 10-20 °C, 1-2 cm and 6-8 weeks, are from Sicily. Summer and autumn-winter sowings, up to two crops a year, are from Umbria. The months are in the March calendar, April, August and September.

Direct sowing

Transplanting disturbs the plant and sends it to flower early. The RHS sows in the open ground, 2.5 cm (1 in) deep, and repeats every few weeks. Indoors, from early spring, one seed per module, so the root is barely moved. Plant out from mid-spring, at about 10 cm (4 in) tall, after hardening off.

University of Minnesota Extension sows as soon as the soil can be worked, in the 4-10 °C group, and stops repeating once the air reaches 27 °C (80 °F). In June, even in cool weather, the long days send it to flower. If late summer is still hot, the RHS waits: germination in the heat is poor, but the plants need to be well grown before winter. The wider calendar is the planting calendar.

Heat, water, what follows

The RHS keeps it happiest at 15-20 °C (59-68 °F). Cold, or hot dry weather, makes it flower, and the leaves turn bitter. In Campania germination is happiest at 20-25 °C and growth at 25 °C, and drought sends it to flower. In Sicily growth is happiest at 10-20 °C, it stands a light frost, and extreme heat slows it: full sun, and light shade where summer scorches.

Water in the morning, on the soil. Evening wet leaves, on crowded plants, bring downy mildew. How much is in watering. In Campania, carrot after spinach is advised against, along with beet and onion. Carrot months are in when to plant carrots. Lettuce, which bolts in the same heat, is in when to plant lettuce.

Pots and winter

In a pot at least 30 cm (1 ft) wide, multi-purpose compost, in sun or light shade. In summer, move the pot out of midday sun. It dries out fast: see the container garden.

Baby leaves arrive in a month, leaves for cooking in two, the RHS writes. Take a few leaves from each plant, and the plant carries on. For winter, choose hardy varieties and cover from October, or sow in a greenhouse. In Campania the autumn-winter cycle aims at a harvest from November to March. How to cover the soil is in mulching.

In the app

Every plant in the catalogue has its own sowing calendar, and weather alerts for your area help you judge whether to sow now or hold off.

Frequently asked questions

Can I transplant spinach?

Better not. The RHS says transplanting makes it more likely to bolt. Sow it where it will grow. If you start early, one seed per module, and move the whole root ball.

When do I sow in the north?

In mid to late spring and from late summer to early autumn, with the air around 15-20 °C. Indoors from early spring. Repeat until the air reaches 27 °C. In June, even in cool weather, the long days send it to flower.

What about autumn in the south?

In Sicily, September to October in mild climates, and March to June where the climate is temperate. The guide prefers autumn, to avoid the extremes. In Campania the cycles are spring, summer-autumn and autumn-winter, with a November-to-March harvest on the last of those.

How deep?

The RHS: 2.5 cm, rows 20 cm apart, plants 15 cm apart. Campania: 0.8-1.5 cm. Sicily: 1-2 cm, plants 30-35 cm apart and rows 30-40 cm apart.

Why does it bolt?

Heat, drought, long days or a transplant. In June, University of Minnesota Extension sees it flower even in cool weather. Keep the soil moist and, in summer, sow in light shade.