Catalina

Family: Amaranthaceae Vegetable

Tender, velvety leaves unfurl with a rich, spinach-green glow and a sweet, clean flavor that feels almost buttery in the mouth.

Catalina forms an upright, compact rosette with crisp, succulent texture—ideal for quick harvests at peak tenderness. Grow it for fresh salads, bright sautés, and smooth, vibrant sauces where its color stays beautifully true.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 40 DaysHabit: Rosette

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 4th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	40
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	30
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Catalina’s upright, compact leaves are built for speed—hit high heat briefly and they wilt into a glossy, buttery mouthfeel without going stringy. Its clean sweetness and true spinach-green color make it a slam-dunk for sautéed sides, bright purées, and sauces where you want the green to stay singing.

Best Uses

quick sauté in a hot pan so the leaves stay bright and not stewed
silky wilted-spinach side with butter for a glossed finish
blend into a smooth, vivid green sauce or purée for color that doesn’t dull

Flavor Profile

tender, velvety leaves sweet, clean spinach flavor crisp-succulent bite that stays lively

Kitchen Pairings

butter lemon olive oil parmesan shallot eggs

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Spinacia oleracea (spinach/Catalina) and what should I do?

Watch for downy mildew (often starts as pale-yellow spots on the upper leaf surface with fuzzy gray growth underneath) and leaf miners. Remove and destroy infected leaves immediately and avoid overhead watering so foliage stays dry. If leaf miners show up, use row cover over the beds to block adult flies and remove heavily mined leaves early to slow spread.

How often should I water Catalina spinach during its main growing phase, and what soil moisture level is ideal?

During the 3–4 weeks of active leaf growth, keep the bed consistently moist but never soggy—aim for soil that feels evenly damp 1–2 inches down. In typical home-garden conditions, this is about 1 inch of water per week total (split into 2–3 lighter waterings if it’s hot or windy). If leaves wilt between waterings, water promptly; if the soil stays wet or crusted, reduce frequency to prevent disease.

How can I tell when Catalina spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 35–45 days when leaves are firm, fully expanded, and about 4–6 inches long for baby leaves or larger for bunching. Pick in the morning and remove outer leaves first to keep the plant producing new growth. If you see flower stalks starting or leaves suddenly become smaller and tougher, harvest immediately since bolting reduces leaf quality.