If you want to grow spinach in Louisiana, timing is everything. Knowing exactly when to plant spinach in Louisiana is the key to a successful harvest in our unique climate.
Our long, hot summers are tough on cool-season greens. But our mild winters are perfect for them. You just have to work around the heat. This guide will walk you through the best planting windows, varieties that thrive here, and how to care for your crop from seed to harvest.
When to Plant Spinach in Louisiana
For most of Louisiana, you have two main planting periods: fall and late winter. The goal is to grow spinach when temperatures are cool, not cold.
The ideal soil temperature for germination is between 50°F and 70°F. The plants grow best in air temperatures of 60°F to 65°F.
Fall Planting (The Primary Season)
This is your best and most reliable season for spinach. You’ll plant in the fall so the spinach matures during the cool months of late fall and winter.
- North Louisiana: Plant from late September through mid-October.
- South Louisiana: Plant from mid-October through early November.
The trick is to get the seeds in the ground about 6-8 weeks before your first expected frost. This gives plants enough time to establish before the coldest weather slows growth.
Late Winter / Early Spring Planting
This season is trickier but possible. You must plant as soon as the ground can be worked in late winter, aiming for a harvest before summer heat arrives.
- North Louisiana: Plant in very late February to early March.
- South Louisiana: Plant in mid-to-late February.
Spring-planted spinach bolts (goes to seed) quickly once day length increases and temperatures rise. Choosing bolt-resistant varieties is crucial for this planting.
Using a Planting Calendar
Always check your local frost dates. For a fall crop, count backwards 6-8 weeks from your first fall frost date. For a spring crop, your planting date is often as soon as the soggy winter soil dries out enough to be worked.
Choosing the Right Spinach Varieties for Louisiana
Not all spinach is created equal for our humidity and temperature swings. Look for these types and specific varieties known for bolt resistance and disease tolerance.
Smooth-Leaf Types
- Corvair: Excellent bolt resistance, great for spring planting.
- Space: A good standard variety thats reliable in fall gardens.
Savoy (Crinkled Leaf) Types
- Bloomsdale Long Standing: A classic heirloom with good flavor and slight bolt resistance.
- Tyee: A superb savoy type known for its slow bolting and disease resistance.
Heat-Tolerant & Specialty Types
- Malabar Spinach: Not a true spinach, but a vine that thrives in summer heat. A great alternative for leafy greens when its to hot for regular spinach.
- New Zealand Spinach: Another heat-loving substitute that produces all summer long.
Step-by-Step Planting Guide
1. Preparing Your Soil
Spinach needs fertile, well-draining soil. Louisiana clay soil needs amending for best results.
- Choose a spot that gets full sun in the cooler months (at least 6 hours).
- Work in 3-4 inches of compost or well-rotted manure into the top 8 inches of soil.
- Add a balanced, all-purpose organic fertilizer according to package directions. Spinach is a heavy feeder.
- Ensure the bed has good drainage. Raised beds are ideal for controlling soil texture and drainage in our rainy climate.
2. Planting the Seeds
Spinach is almost always grown from seed sown directly in the garden.
- Create shallow rows about ½ inch deep and 12 inches apart.
- Sow seeds sparingly, about 1 inch apart in the row. You can always thin later.
- Cover lightly with fine soil and water gently but thoroughly.
- Keep the soil consistently moist until seeds germinate, which takes 5-14 days depending on temperature.
A light layer of straw or grass clippings can help retain moisture and keep soil temperatures even.
3. Thinning and Spacing
Once seedlings are a few inches tall and have their first true leaves, its time to thin them. Crowded plants are more prone to disease and won’t produce large leaves.
- Thin seedlings to stand 4-6 inches apart.
- You can eat the thinned seedlings as microgreens in a salad!
Caring for Your Spinach Crop
Watering
Consistent moisture is vital. Spinach has shallow roots and will bolt quickly if stressed by drought.
- Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry.
- Aim for about 1 inch of water per week, from rainfall or irrigation.
- Water in the morning so leaves dry before nightfall, reducing disease risk.
Fertilizing
For a continuous harvest, feed your spinach lightly every 3-4 weeks with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer like fish emulsion or a side-dressing of compost. This promotes steady leaf growth.
Managing Pests and Diseases
Louisiana’s humidity invites certain issues. Keep a close eye on your plants.
- Aphids: Blast them off with a strong spray of water or use insecticidal soap.
- Leaf Miners: Look for squiggly lines on leaves. Remove and destroy affected leaves promptly.
- Downy Mildew: A fungal disease that causes yellow spots. Prevent it by ensuring good air circulation (proper spacing) and avoiding overhead watering. Choose resistant varieties like ‘Tyee’.
- Slugs and Snails: Use organic bait or traps, especially in damp weather.
Regularly picking leaves helps improve air circulation, which is a simple way to prevent many fungal problems.
Harvesting Your Spinach
You can start harvesting whenever leaves are big enough to eat, usually about 4-6 weeks after planting.
Two Main Harvest Methods:
- Cut-and-Come-Again: Use scissors to cut outer leaves about 2 inches above the soil crown. The center will continue producing new leaves for multiple harvests.
- Whole Plant Harvest: As temperatures start to rise in late spring, or if a plant looks like its about to bolt, harvest the entire plant by cutting it at the base.
Always harvest in the morning when leaves are crisp and full of moisture. If you see a central stalk starting to grow tall rapidly, thats bolting. Harvest the entire plant immediately, as the leaves will become bitter.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can you grow spinach in Louisiana in the summer?
True spinach will not survive the Louisiana summer heat. It will bolt and become bitter almost immediately. For summer greens, switch to heat-tolerant substitutes like Malabar spinach or New Zealand spinach.
What is the latest I can plant spinach in the fall?
You can succession plant every two weeks until about 2-3 weeks before your first hard frost. Later plantings will grow slowly over the winter and provide a very early spring harvest.
Should I start spinach seeds indoors?
Its generally not worth it because spinach transplants can be finicky. Direct sowing is the easiest and most reliable method for this crop. The roots don’t like to be disturbed.
Why are my spinach leaves turning yellow?
Yellowing can be caused by a few things: overwatering or poor drainage (causing root issues), a nitrogen deficiency in the soil, or the onset of a disease like downy mildew. Check soil moisture first, then consider a light fertilizer application.
Can I grow spinach in a container?
Absolutely. Choose a pot at least 8-10 inches deep with good drainage holes. Use a high-quality potting mix and be extra vigilant about watering, as containers dry out faster. This is a great option if your garden soil is very heavy clay.
Growing spinach in Louisiana is all about respecting the seasons. By planting at the right times in fall and late winter, choosing resilient varieties, and providing consistent care, you can enjoy homegrown spinach for month. There’s nothing quite like the taste of fresh spinach from your own garden, picked just before dinner. With this plan, you’ll be well on your way to a bountiful harvest.