Palco

Family: Amaranthaceae Leafy Green

Tender, flat leaves unfurl with a velvety, deep-green sheen and a pleasantly mild bite—Palco spinach is prized for its smooth texture and quick, even harvest at about 45 days.

Ideal for fresh bunches and fast turnarounds, its foliage stays supple and attractive, holding flavor beautifully whether you’re serving it as a star green or folding it into everyday favorites.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 45 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 18th
Harvest Begins	Jun 2nd
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	45
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Palco is a flat-leaf spinach that behaves like a quick-cooking green: it wilts evenly without going stringy, and its mildness stays “clean” even when served as the main green. Use it hot-and-fast—sauté, steam, or fold—so it keeps that velvety bite instead of turning sulfurous or watery.

Best Uses

flash-sautéing with butter and a squeeze of lemon for quick gloss
steaming and folding into warm pasta or rice until just wilted
bunch-spinach for salad work—chopped fine under vinaigrette
blanch-and-chill for omelets, grain bowls, or creamy dips

Flavor Profile

mild, sweet spinach bite velvety leaf texture tender stems with quick tenderness fresh green, not bitter when young

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon butter Parmesan eggs cream

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease issue for spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and how do I prevent it?

Spinach commonly gets downy mildew, which shows as yellow patches on top leaves and fuzzy gray-purple growth on the undersides. Prevent it by watering at the soil line (not overhead) and spacing plants so leaves dry quickly; remove and discard infected leaves promptly. If it’s actively spreading, use a labeled fungicide that’s approved for leafy greens and downy mildew, applied according to the label.

How often should I water spinach (Spinacia oleracea) during its main growing phase to avoid bolting or poor growth?

During the main growth period, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for evenly damp soil 1–2 inches down. Typically water about 1 inch per week total, split into 2–3 waterings during warm or windy weather, and reduce slightly as days cool. Inconsistent moisture can stress spinach and speed up bolting, especially when temperatures rise.

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

Harvest when leaves are large enough to use—usually around 45 days—by cutting outer leaves about 1–2 inches above the soil. Look for healthy, tender texture and avoid harvesting leaves that are tough or severely thickened, which can indicate early bolting. You can do repeated cut-and-come-again harvests as long as the plant keeps producing new leaves.