F1 Hybrid

Family: Amaranthaceae Leafy Green

Planting Schedule

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Tender, velvety flat leaves unfurl in a lush, dark green rush—so quick to mature that you’ll be harvesting at peak sweetness in about 40 days.

F1 Hybrid spinach forms an even, upright rosette with a smooth, succulent texture and a mild, clean flavor that shines in fresh salads and wilts beautifully for warm dishes. Ideal for gardeners who want consistent, market-ready leaf quality from the first cut to the next.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 40 DaysHabit: Rosette

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F1 Hybrid Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Direct Sow	Jun 1st	Jul 11th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Jul 4th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jun 24th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jun 24th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Jun 28th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jun 24th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jun 22nd – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jun 17th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jun 13th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jun 10th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jun 4th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	May 30th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	May 20th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	May 11th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	May 2nd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	Apr 15th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Mar 21st – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	40
Sun Requirements	Full 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)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This F1 flat-leaf spinach is all about speed and uniform tenderness—its mild flavor stays clean in raw applications and wilts fast without turning ragged. Choose it when you want silky mouthfeel and a bright, lemony lift rather than deep, muddy bitterness.

Best Uses

fast wilted side with butter and a squeeze of lemon
spinach-forward salad where the leaves stay glossy under dressing
sautéed into omelets and frittatas for a tender bite
lightly blanched and folded into pasta with olive oil and grated cheese

Flavor Profile

mild, clean grassy sweetness tender, velvety leaf texture soft lactone-like freshness that holds up to quick heat

Kitchen Pairings

lemon butter olive oil parmesan eggs ricotta

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Spinacia oleracea, and how can I control it at home?

Watch for downy mildew and leaf spots, which show up as yellow patches, gray/purple growth on the underside, or dark spotting on leaves. Remove badly affected leaves immediately and improve airflow by spacing plants properly; avoid overhead watering so foliage stays dry. If the problem keeps spreading, use a labeled fungicide for leafy greens and follow the label reapplication interval.

How often should I water Spinacia oleracea during the main growing phase (about weeks 2–6)?

Keep the soil consistently evenly moist, not soggy—spinach prefers a cool, damp root zone throughout growth. In typical home gardens this usually means watering 1–2 times per week, increasing to 2–3 times during hot or windy spells, with enough water to wet the top 2–4 inches. Mulch lightly after plants establish to reduce drying, and stop letting the surface dry out completely between waterings.

How do I know when Spinacia oleracea is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 40 days when leaves reach usable size (often 4–6+ inches long) and before plants bolt or form flower stalks. For baby leaves, cut outer leaves with scissors, leaving the center growing point to regrow for several pickings. If you notice rapid stem elongation or tight, rising centers, harvest immediately to avoid bitter, tough leaves.