When to plant spinach in Pendleton, OR

Plant spinach from seed, directly in the garden in Pendleton, Mar 20 – Apr 24. For a fall harvest, plant again Aug 20 – Sep 10.

Moderate Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

Pendleton's typical last spring frost is April 26. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about March 20.

Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys. Hot, dry summers and quick spring warm-up. Warm crops go in earlier than west of the Cascades, and irrigation matters more than rain.

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

Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
Plant seeds Mar 20 – Apr 24, ½ inch deep, 3 inches apart.
Keep the soil evenly moist until sprouts appear, which can take one to three weeks in cool soil.
Plant again Aug 20 – Sep 10 for a fall harvest.
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 Pendleton, OR?

Typically April 26. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 10. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Pendleton Airport.

Is it too late to plant spinach in Pendleton?

The spring planting window runs through April 24. If you miss it, plant again for fall from August 20 to September 10.

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 Pendleton around the same time

Planting dates for spinach in nearby areas

The Dalles, OR Mar 20 – Apr 24
Yakima, WA Mar 27 – May 1
Wenatchee, WA Mar 20 – Apr 24
Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland), WA Mar 20 – Apr 24
Walla Walla, WA Mar 20 – Apr 24
Moses Lake, WA Mar 20 – Apr 24

Full planting calendar for Pendleton · Spinach in every city