How to Grow Spinach: Tips, Facts, and Information

Spinach is a nutrient-dense leafy green that’s a staple in many gardens due to its fast growth, versatility, and ability to thrive in cooler weather. Whether you use it in salads, smoothies, or cooked dishes, spinach is a must-have crop for any home gardener. With so many varieties to choose from, each offering unique textures and flavors, you can grow spinach year-round with proper planning. Here’s your guide to the top 20 varieties of spinach, along with essential growing tips, fascinating facts, and answers to common questions.

Top 20 Spinach Varieties to Grow

1. Bloomsdale Long Standing

Tips: This heirloom variety thrives in cool weather and prefers well-drained, fertile soil. Plant in early spring or fall for best results.
Facts: Known for its crinkled, dark green leaves, Bloomsdale Long Standing is a classic variety with excellent flavor and cold tolerance.

2. Tyee

Tips: Tyee spinach grows well in both cool and warm climates, making it suitable for spring, summer, and fall planting. Water regularly and provide some shade in hot weather.
Facts: Tyee is a slow-bolting variety with smooth, dark green leaves, perfect for salads and cooking.

3. Space

Tips: Space is a fast-growing spinach that can be planted in early spring or fall. It performs well in both garden beds and containers.
Facts: This variety produces smooth, oval leaves and is highly resistant to bolting, making it a favorite for continuous harvests.

4. Regiment

Tips: Regiment prefers cool weather and well-drained soil. Sow seeds directly in the garden in early spring or fall.
Facts: Known for its large, dark green leaves, Regiment is a high-yielding variety with a rich flavor.

5. Olympia

Tips: Plant Olympia spinach in early spring or late summer for a fall harvest. It grows best in full sun and well-drained soil.
Facts: Olympia is a smooth-leaved variety with excellent heat tolerance, making it a good choice for warmer climates.

6. Corvair

Tips: Corvair grows quickly in cool weather and prefers fertile, well-draining soil. It’s great for early spring or fall planting.
Facts: This variety produces smooth, dark green leaves and is highly resistant to downy mildew, a common spinach disease.

7. Giant Winter

Tips: Giant Winter spinach is best planted in late summer or early fall for overwintering. It thrives in cooler temperatures and can tolerate frost.
Facts: As the name suggests, this variety produces large, crinkled leaves and is perfect for winter harvests.

8. Baby’s Leaf

Tips: Baby’s Leaf spinach grows quickly and is best harvested when the leaves are small and tender. Plant in early spring or fall for optimal growth.
Facts: Known for its sweet, tender leaves, Baby’s Leaf is perfect for fresh salads and quick cooking.

9. Avon

Tips: Avon spinach is ideal for spring or fall planting and prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly to prevent the leaves from becoming tough.
Facts: This variety produces smooth, thick leaves that are rich in flavor and highly resistant to bolting.

10. Monstrueux de Viroflay

Tips: Plant this French heirloom variety in early spring or fall. It prefers cooler weather and rich, moist soil.
Facts: Monstrueux de Viroflay is known for its enormous leaves, often reaching up to 10 inches in length, making it perfect for cooking.

11. Red Cardinal

Tips: Red Cardinal prefers cool weather and can be planted in early spring or fall. It thrives in well-drained soil and needs regular watering.
Facts: This unique variety has vibrant red stems and veins with dark green leaves, adding color and flavor to any salad.

12. Savoy

Tips: Savoy spinach grows best in cooler temperatures and prefers well-drained, fertile soil. Plant in early spring or fall.
Facts: This classic variety has crinkled, dark green leaves and is known for its rich, earthy flavor and cold tolerance.

13. Indian Summer

Tips: Indian Summer is heat-tolerant and can be grown in both spring and fall. Water consistently to keep the leaves tender and avoid bolting.
Facts: This variety is perfect for warmer climates, producing smooth, tender leaves with a mild flavor.

14. Merlo Nero

Tips: Merlo Nero grows best in cool, moist soil. Plant in early spring or fall for the best harvests.
Facts: This Italian heirloom variety has glossy, dark green leaves with a deep, rich flavor, ideal for both raw and cooked dishes.

15. Viking

Tips: Viking thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s a fast-growing variety that can be planted in early spring or fall.
Facts: Known for its smooth, tender leaves, Viking spinach is great for fresh salads and quick sautéing.

16. Emperor

Tips: Emperor spinach grows best in cool weather and well-drained soil. Sow seeds directly in the garden in early spring or fall.
Facts: This variety produces smooth, dark green leaves with a mild, sweet flavor and is highly resistant to bolting.

17. Matador

Tips: Matador spinach grows quickly in cool weather and prefers fertile, moist soil. Plant in early spring or late summer.
Facts: This variety produces large, oval-shaped leaves with a tender texture and mild flavor, perfect for salads.

18. Raccoon

Tips: Raccoon spinach is ideal for spring and fall planting. It prefers cool temperatures and consistent moisture for optimal growth.
Facts: Known for its resistance to disease, Raccoon produces smooth, dark green leaves with a mild, sweet flavor.

19. Hammerhead

Tips: Hammerhead spinach grows well in full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly to prevent bolting.
Facts: This variety produces thick, crinkled leaves and is known for its slow-bolting nature, making it perfect for longer growing seasons.

20. Lavewa

Tips: Lavewa is best planted in early spring or fall. It thrives in cool weather and moist, fertile soil.
Facts: This variety produces smooth, tender leaves and is highly resistant to common spinach diseases like downy mildew.

Common Questions About Growing Spinach

Q: When should I plant spinach?
A: Spinach grows best in cool weather, so plant seeds in early spring or late summer for a fall harvest. In mild climates, you can also plant in the fall for a winter or early spring harvest.

Q: Can I grow spinach in containers?
A: Yes, spinach grows well in containers. Use a pot that’s at least 6-8 inches deep with good drainage. Container gardening is ideal for small spaces like patios or balconies.

Q: How long does spinach take to grow?
A: Spinach is a fast-growing crop and can be ready to harvest in as little as 4-6 weeks after planting. Some varieties may take slightly longer, depending on the conditions.

Q: How do I harvest spinach?
A: You can either harvest spinach leaves individually by cutting them near the base, or pull up the entire plant. Harvest when the leaves are large enough to eat, but before the plant starts to bolt (flower).

Q: Does spinach grow back after cutting?
A: Yes, if you harvest spinach by cutting the outer leaves, the plant will continue to grow new leaves, allowing for multiple harvests during the growing season.