Spinach Seeds - Avon F1 Hybrid - Spinacia oleracea

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

USDA Zones 2-11: Grows as a cool-season annual across all zones. Planting times are critical and must be scheduled so the spinach matures before the arrival of high summer heat (consistent temperatures above 75 degrees F), which causes all spinach to bolt (go to seed) and turn bitter.

Best Performance (Cool/Northern Zones 2-7): Thrives in the cool, moist weather of early spring and fall. Plant in very early spring as soon as the soil can be worked (often 4-6 weeks before the last frost). Plant again in late summer for a robust fall harvest that can easily tolerate light frosts.

Best Performance (Warm/Southern Zones 8-11): This is an ideal fall, winter, and early spring crop in these regions. Plant in the fall and harvest throughout the mild winter. Avoid planting in late spring or summer, as the heat will cause immediate bolting, even with this variety's bolt resistance.

Soil Temperature: Requires cool soil for germination, ideally between 45-70 degrees F. Germination is very slow, erratic, or will fail completely in soils warmer than 75 degrees F. Seeds can be sown in early spring when the soil reaches 40 degrees F.

Growing Season: Requires 40-45 days of cool weather to reach full maturity. Spinach is frost-tolerant but will bolt when days lengthen significantly and temperatures rise. The Avon F1's bolt resistance helps it tolerate brief warm spells better than other varieties.

Learn more about USDA Hardiness Zones here

When to Plant:

Spring: Direct sow seeds outdoors as soon as the soil can be worked, typically 4-6 weeks before your average last frost date. Spinach is very frost-hardy and thrives in cool spring weather.

Fall: For the most reliable and high-quality harvest, sow seeds in late summer (about 6-8 weeks before your average first fall frost). The plants will mature during the cool, shortening days of autumn, which prevents bolting.

Succession Planting: Sow small batches every 10-14 days during your cool planting window for a continuous supply.

Where to Plant:

Sunlight: Spinach prefers full sun during the cool weather of spring and fall. If you are trying to extend the harvest as temperatures rise, planting in a location with partial afternoon shade can help keep the plants cool and delay bolting.

Soil: Plant in loose, rich, well-drained soil. Spinach is a heavy feeder, especially of nitrogen. Amend your soil generously with aged compost or well-rotted manure before planting.

Soil pH: Prefers a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.5.

How to Plant:

Depth: Plant seeds 1/2 inch deep.

Spacing: Sow seeds 1 inch apart in rows that are 12-18 inches apart.

Germination: Be patient. Germination can take 7-14 days and is highly dependent on cool soil temperatures. Keep the seedbed evenly moist, but not waterlogged.

Growing and Care:

Thinning: This is essential for good plant development. Once seedlings have two true leaves, thin them to stand 3-6 inches apart. You can eat the delicious thinnings.

Watering: Spinach has shallow roots and requires consistent, even moisture. Do not let the soil dry out, as drought stress will accelerate bolting. Water at the base of the plant.

Mulching: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch (such as straw or shredded leaves) once plants are established. This is crucial for retaining soil moisture and keeping the roots cool.

Fertilizing: If plants seem slow-growing or pale, feed them with a nitrogen-rich liquid fertilizer (like fish emulsion or a compost tea) mid-season to promote lush, tender leaves.

Harvesting:

Baby Leaf: You can begin harvesting individual outer leaves when they are 3-4 inches long (around 25-30 days).

Full Size: Harvest the entire plant by cutting it off at the soil line, or continue to harvest only the outer leaves ("cut-and-come-again").

Pro-Tip: Harvest in the cool of the morning for the crispest, most hydrated leaves. Harvest promptly when mature (40-45 days) and before the plant sends up a central flower stalk (bolting), as the leaves will turn bitter once this process begins.