Rainline Garden

When to plant spinach in Yakima, WA

Plant spinach from seed, directly in the garden in Yakima, Mar 27 – May 1. For a fall harvest, plant again Aug 9–30.

Moderate Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

Yakima's typical last spring frost is May 8. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop can go in about 6 weeks before that.

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

  1. Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
  2. Plant seeds Mar 27 – May 1, 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 9–30 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 Yakima, WA?

Typically May 8. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 27. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Yakima Air Terminal.

Is it too late to plant spinach in Yakima?

The spring planting window runs through May 1. If you miss it, plant again for fall from August 9 to August 30.

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 Yakima around the same time

Planting dates for spinach in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Yakima · Spinach in every city