Can spinach grow year-round?

Spinach is grown year-round using season-specific techniques for crops in varying hardiness zones depending on the climate. The cool-season varieties grow well in the spring and fall, while the winter-hardy types survive the cold of winter, summer demands heat-tolerant alternatives. I harvest fresh Spinach every month of the year by careful planning.

During the cooler months, you can keep your harvests going strong with succession planting by planting seeds every two weeks. Start growing your new crops in early spring and continue until late fall. I like to track my planting dates on my calendar; this way, I have several growing together, creating a steady stream of fresh produce.

Winter crops yield in zones 8 and higher with little protection required. Use heavy row covers when a frost threatens. Cold frames offer possibilities down to about zone 6; I have harvested spinach with snow on top of it, all thanks to excellent real estate! Your plants survive freezing temperatures.

For summer heat, consider Malabar spinach or New Zealand spinach as alternatives that thrive in warm conditions. They are similar in taste and texture. I grow them on trellises. You should have greens when the temperature rises past 80F.

Indoor container growing under LED lights enables year-round production. Use 12-hour cycles at 6-inch height and keep temps below 75 degrees. I rotate my plants every week to ensure even growth and development. You control the environment entirely.

Using these continuous harvesting techniques will allow for easy transitions from the end of your winter crops to your spring crops and on to your summer crops with little effort. Hence, depending on when you plant, it is common to have fresh spinach throughout the year.

Read the full article: How to Grow Spinach: Ultimate Gardening Guide