HJow and when to plant lettuce and spinach under a cloche in Corvallis, Oregon in spring 2026. - Ask Extension
A knowledgable freind told me to plant spinach in the ground sometime in February or March? In the past, I have had poor results transplanting pots o...
Knowledgebase
HJow and when to plant lettuce and spinach under a cloche in Corvallis, Oregon in spring 2026. #923698
Asked January 16, 2026, 2:29 PM EST
A knowledgable freind told me to plant spinach in the ground sometime in February or March? In the past, I have had poor results transplanting pots of these germinated and grown in my house. Thanks for your help.
Benton County Oregon
Expert Response
While spinach is a cold-tolerant crop, planting it in winter is not necessarily successful. Cold, wet soil can be too much for it. You can refer to our OSU Extension publication, "Growing Your Own" https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/em-9027-growing-your-own#planting-dates. The planting chart it contains says April and Sept are best for planting spinach in the Willamette Valley - Sept. for fall harvest, April for summer. If you plant in a cold frame or other protection, those dates can be extended, perhaps as early as Feb., especially in a milder winter such as this has been.
Success also depends on which varieties you grow. Some are more cold hardy, some resist bolting in warm weather. This publication has some information along those lines: https://horticulture.oregonstate.edu/oregon-vegetables/spinach-0
Success also depends on which varieties you grow. Some are more cold hardy, some resist bolting in warm weather. This publication has some information along those lines: https://horticulture.oregonstate.edu/oregon-vegetables/spinach-0
Excellent advise. I really appreciate. Thanks Signe Danler.
