Space

Family: Amaranthaceae Vegetable

Silky leaves unfurl with a cool, fresh snap—Space spinach delivers tender, medium-smooth foliage that stays sweet and never turns harsh.

Expect a rich, deep-green color and a lush, upright habit that makes harvesting feel effortless, with leaves that shine in salads and wilt beautifully into velvety greens for soups, sautés, and sauces. A dependable choice for gardeners seeking early, consistent performance around 40 days to maturity.

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)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Space spinach is built for that sweet, cool bite—then it collapses into a silky, dark-green sheen with heat, not a harsh, grass-bitter finish. It’s the kind of leaf that holds up in a quick sauté and still stays elegant enough to star in a lightly dressed salad.

Best Uses

raw salads where you want leaves that stay sweet and crisp under dressing
quick sauté for a glossy, tender reduction that doesn’t taste bitter
blended soups for a smooth, green silk (less grit, more creaminess)
stir-through pasta sauces and omelets where spinach should melt into the dish

Flavor Profile

cool, sweet spinach flavor tender, medium-smooth leaf texture keeps a pleasant snap in raw bites wilted spinach turns velvety and silky

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon olive oil Parmesan ricotta butter

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common disease or pest for Spinacia oleracea, and how do I fix it?

Spinach commonly suffers from downy mildew when leaves stay wet and air is humid. Remove and discard infected leaves, water at the soil line in the morning, and improve airflow by spacing plants so the canopy isn’t dense. If the problem keeps recurring, use a labeled fungicide appropriate for downy mildew on leafy greens and avoid overhead watering for the rest of the cycle.

How often should I water Spinacia oleracea during its main growing phase?

During the main growth period, keep the top 1 inch of soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for frequent, light watering as the surface begins to dry. In warm conditions, this often means watering every 1–3 days, while in cooler weather you may need less. Mulch lightly and check moisture by feel; if the soil is dry or the leaves look limp, water immediately to prevent stress and early bolting.

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

Harvest at about 35–45 days when leaves are tender and the plant is forming a good rosette. Pick outer leaves first for a cut-and-come-again harvest, leaving the center to keep producing; for a one-time harvest, remove the whole plant when it reaches full size. If leaves become coarse or the plant bolts (shoots a flower stalk), flavor drops quickly—harvest immediately.