Rainline Garden

When to plant spinach in Ellensburg, WA

Plant spinach from seed, directly in the garden in Ellensburg, Apr 1 – May 6. For a fall harvest, plant again Aug 12 – Sep 2.

Moderate Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

Ellensburg's typical last spring frost is April 28. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the Inland Northwest, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about April 1.

Inland Northwest. Higher, colder interior valleys. Cold springs and an earlier fall mean a shorter season; quick-maturing varieties pay off.

Difficulty
Moderate
Sun
Full sun to part shade
Spacing
3 inches apart
Planting depth
½ inch deep
Frost
Handles light frost
First harvest
About 45 days after planting

Step by step

  1. Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
  2. Plant seeds Apr 1 – May 6, ½ inch deep, 3 inches apart.
  3. Keep the soil evenly moist until sprouts appear, which can take one to three weeks in cool soil.
  4. Plant again Aug 12 – Sep 2 for a fall harvest.
  5. Harvest: Cut outer leaves once plants have five or six, or cut the whole plant before it sends up a flower stalk.

Varieties that do well here

  • Bloomsdale Long Standing
  • Space
  • Giant Winter (for fall sowing)

Watch out for

Bolts (goes to seed) as days lengthen in late spring. Sow early, and sow again in late summer for fall and winter.

Bolts when days get long and warm, so spring sowings should go in early.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Ellensburg, WA?

Typically April 28. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 12. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Ellensburg Bowers Field.

Is it too late to plant spinach in Ellensburg?

The spring planting window runs through May 6. If you miss it, plant again for fall from August 12 to September 2.

How long until I can harvest spinach?

About 45 days after planting. Cut outer leaves once plants have five or six, or cut the whole plant before it sends up a flower stalk.

Also plant in Ellensburg around the same time

Planting dates for spinach in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Ellensburg · Spinach in every city