Rainline Garden

When to plant spinach in Olympia, WA

Plant spinach from seed, directly in the garden in Olympia, Mar 18 – Apr 22. For a fall harvest, plant again Aug 19 – Sep 9.

Moderate Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

Olympia's typical last spring frost is April 29. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop can go in about 6 weeks before that.

West-side valleys. The Willamette Valley, Puget Sound and southern Oregon valleys. Long frost-free seasons, but soil stays cold and wet into May, so warm crops wait for warm soil, not just the last frost.

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 Mar 18 – Apr 22, 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 19 – Sep 9 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 Olympia, WA?

Typically April 29. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 15. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Olympia Airport.

Is it too late to plant spinach in Olympia?

The spring planting window runs through April 22. If you miss it, plant again for fall from August 19 to September 9.

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 Olympia around the same time

Planting dates for spinach in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Olympia · Spinach in every city