Grow Spinach In Your Fall Garden

Maybe no one has told you, but you should grow spinach in your fall garden this year. Spinach does okay in the spring garden but it will do better as it cools off in the fall. Spinach is a quick growing green that is great raw in salads and sandwiches. It can also be wilted down in a stir fry or other dishes cooked on the stove.

This is Bloomsdale Longstanding spinach. Just look at those beautiful leaves!

Grow Spinach In Your Fall Garden - 9/7-9/13/2026

You can pick baby spinach leaves for salads or let them get a bit bigger for cooking or wilting in a stir fry.

If you want an easy win in cool weather, you should grow spinach in your fall garden. It is fast, simple, and rewarding. In many warm places, especially Texas, fall is one of the best times to plant it.

You may think you do not like spinach, and I get that. A lot of people grew up eating canned spinach, and that soft, dull stuff turned them away for good. Fresh spinach is a completely different food.

When you pick spinach right from the garden, it tastes mild, clean, and a little sweet. The leaves are tender, and they cook down beautifully. You can also eat them fresh in salads, wraps, and smoothies.

One reason gardeners love spinach is speed. It is often ready in about 30 to 45 days, which makes it one of the best quick fall garden crops. That means you can plant it, enjoy it, and even plant more before winter really settles in.

In Texas and other warm states, fall gives you a long stretch of good growing weather. Many areas do not get a real frost until December or January. That gives you weeks of cool days and cool nights, which is just what spinach likes.

This article will walk you through seven simple parts of growing spinach in fall. You will learn how to plant spinach seeds from David's Garden Seeds, how to water, weed, mulch, fertilize, care for your plants, harvest the leaves, and use them in your kitchen.

Grow Spinach In Your Fall Garden - Why Fall Is The Best Season To Grow It

In the heat, spinach will bolt, going from tender leaves to growing a stalk that will produce seed.

Part 1 is all about why fall is such a great season for spinach. If you have ever wondered how to grow spinach without fighting summer heat, fall is your answer. Spinach prefers cool weather, and it often struggles when the days are too hot.

In spring, spinach can bolt fast. That means it sends up a flower stalk and turns bitter. In fall, cooler temperatures help the plants stay leafy longer, so you get a bigger harvest and better flavor.

I have seen gardeners give up on spinach after a poor spring crop, then try again in autumn and change their minds completely. The plants come up better, the leaves stay tender, and the harvest feels almost effortless. That is why so many experienced gardeners swear by fall spinach.

Another nice thing about fall spinach is that it fits into empty spaces in the garden. After summer tomatoes, peppers, beans, or squash slow down, you can clean out a bed and put spinach right in. It is a smart way to keep your garden producing.

Spinach also works well in raised beds, rows, wide containers, and small backyard plots. You do not need a huge garden to enjoy it. A few short rows can give you several meals.

If your family says they hate spinach, this is a good crop to prove them wrong. Fresh spinach is healthy and your whole family will enjoy eating it when it is picked young and cooked well. Sometimes the garden changes minds better than words ever could.

Grow Spinach In Your Fall Garden - When & Where To Plant

This is our Red Malabar spinach, a vining spinach with beautiful magenta vines.

Part 2 is about timing and site selection. To grow spinach in your fall garden, start by looking at your local weather and counting backward from your first expected frost. In warm regions, you often have plenty of time to sow spinach in early to mid fall.

Spinach grows best when temperatures are cool but not freezing. It likes full sun in fall, though a little light shade can still work in warmer areas. The main goal is to give it bright light and cooler soil.

Choose a spot with loose, well-drained soil. Spinach does not like to sit in soggy ground. If water stands after rain, improve the bed before you plant.

A raised bed is often a great choice because it drains well and is easy to work. If you garden in native clay soil, adding compost can help loosen it. Better soil means better roots and stronger plants.

Before planting, remove old crop roots, weeds, and debris from the bed. Rake the soil smooth and break up big clumps. Spinach seeds are small, so they do better in a fine seedbed.

If your fall is still warm when you want to plant, water the soil a day ahead of time to cool it a bit. You can also plant in the evening or before a stretch of milder weather. Small steps like that can help seeds sprout more evenly.

Grow Spinach In Your Fall Garden - Planting Spinach Seeds

Grow spinach in your fall garden using seed from David's Garden Seeds®.

Part 3 focuses on planting spinach seeds from David's Garden Seeds. Start with fresh seed and read the website listing for the specific variety and spacing notes. Different spinach varieties may vary a little, but the basic method stays simple.

Make shallow rows in your prepared bed. Plant the seeds about half an inch deep, then cover them lightly with soil. Press the soil gently so the seeds make good contact.

Space seeds close enough for a full row, but do not worry if they seem thick at first. Many gardeners sow a little heavy because not every seed sprouts. Later, you can thin the seedlings and eat the baby greens.

If you want a steady harvest, plant a short row now and another row a week or two later. This is called succession planting. It spreads out your harvest and keeps fresh leaves coming.

Water gently right after planting so you do not wash the seeds away. Keep the top layer of soil evenly moist while the seeds germinate. That first stage is important because dry soil can slow or stop sprouting.

I like to mark my rows with a plant label right away because it is easy to forget where tiny seeds were planted. More than once I have watered a bed carefully, only to wonder later where I put the spinach. A simple label saves confusion.

Grow Spinach In Your Fall Garden - Watering

Watering spinach and everything else you plant in the fall garden is important. Do not depend on rain. We don't get much of that in South Texas.

Part 4 covers watering, and spinach really does best with steady moisture. Not too dry and not too wet is the goal. Even watering helps leaves stay tender and grow fast.

After the seedlings come up, check the bed often. If the top inch of soil feels dry, it is time to water. In warm fall weather, that may be more frequent than later in the season.

Water at the base of the plants when possible. This keeps the leaves cleaner and helps reduce some disease problems. A watering can, drip line, or gentle hose works well.

Try to water early in the day. That gives the plants time to dry off before evening if water splashes on the leaves. It is a small habit, but it can help keep your spinach looking healthy.

Deep, gentle watering is better than a quick sprinkle. A shallow splash only wets the surface and encourages weak rooting. You want the roots to reach down into the soil.

If heavy rain is expected, check drainage after the storm. Spinach does not enjoy waterlogged soil. If needed, open small channels so extra water can move away from the bed.

Grow Spinach In Your Fall Garden - Soil, Mulch, Fertilizing

Part 5 is about weeding, mulching, and feeding your crop. Spinach grows quickly, but weeds can still crowd it out, especially when the plants are small. A clean bed gives your spinach less competition for water and nutrients.

Pull weeds early while they are tiny. It is much easier to remove them before they take hold. Hand weeding works well around spinach because the roots are shallow and you do not want to disturb them too much.

Once your seedlings are established, a light layer of mulch can help a lot. Mulch helps the soil hold moisture and can slow down weed growth. In fall, it also helps keep the root zone more even in temperature.

Use a fine, light mulch, not a heavy mat that smothers small plants. Straw, shredded leaves, or other loose garden mulch can work if used carefully. Keep mulch a little away from the plant stems.

Spinach likes fertile soil, especially soil improved with compost before planting. If your bed is already rich, you may not need much extra feeding. Healthy soil does a lot of the work for you.

If the plants seem pale or slow, a light feeding can help them along. Do not overdo it. Gentle feeding is usually enough for a short, leafy crop like spinach.

Grow Spinach In Your Fall Garden - Caring For Your Spinach Plants

Part 6 is about ongoing care as your plants mature. After the seedlings are a few inches tall, thin them if they are too crowded. Giving them room helps air move and leaves size up better.

The seedlings you pull do not have to go to waste. Baby spinach thinnings are tasty in salads and sandwiches. That first little harvest is one of my favorite garden treats.

Keep an eye on the weather as fall moves on. Light frost often does not hurt spinach much, and cool weather can even improve the flavor. In many gardens, spinach becomes sweeter after chilly nights.

If a hard freeze is coming, you can protect the bed with a light cover. This helps stretch the season and keeps the leaves in good shape. In warm states, that simple step may carry your crop well into winter.

Watch for stressed plants and act early. If leaves wilt, yellow, or stop growing, check moisture, drainage, and crowding. Most spinach problems in fall come back to heat, water, or poor soil conditions.

One of the best things about spinach is how calm it feels to grow. It does not demand much once it gets started. Give it cool weather, decent soil, steady water, and a little care, and it usually rewards you quickly.

Grow Spinach In Your Fall Garden -Harvesting

Grow spinach in your fall garden and you will get a wonderful harvest.

Part 7 is all about harvest and use. You can start harvesting spinach when the leaves are big enough to eat. Many gardeners begin with outer leaves first and let the center keep growing.

This cut-and-come-again method gives you several pickings from the same plants. Just snip or pinch the outer leaves and leave the middle intact. With good care, the plants keep producing for a while.

You can also harvest whole plants if you want a larger batch at one time. That works well if the bed is crowded or if you are clearing space for another crop. Either way, harvest before the plants get old and tough.

Try to pick spinach when the leaves are dry. Clean, dry leaves are easier to store. Rinse them after harvest and pat them dry if you are not using them right away.

Grow Spinach In Your Fall Garden - Using Spinach In The Kitchen

Make sure you wash your spinach leaves well before eating them. Get all of the dirt off of them for maximum enjoyment.

Fresh spinach is wonderful raw in salads. It is also great wilted with a little oil, added to soups, tucked into omelets, or layered into pasta dishes. Even people who say they hate spinach often like it when it is fresh from the garden.

If you harvest more than you can eat at once, store the leaves in the refrigerator. Keep them cool and as dry as possible. Use them soon for the best flavor and texture.

One simple way to serve it is to sauté fresh spinach with garlic and a pinch of salt. It cooks fast, so do not walk away from the pan. In just a minute or two, you have a fresh side dish that tastes nothing like canned spinach.

You can also add chopped spinach to scrambled eggs, quesadillas, rice bowls, and smoothies. It blends into everyday meals with very little effort. That is one reason it is such a smart crop for busy families.

Grow Spinach In Your Fall Garden - Wrapping It Up

Try some new dishes in your kitchen and add spinach in for flavor and health.

To wrap things up, grow spinach in your fall garden if you want a crop that is quick, useful, and beginner friendly. It does not ask for much, and it gives back in a big way. Few fall crops are this easy to enjoy.

Remember the basic steps: pick a sunny spot, prepare loose soil, plant spinach seeds from David's Garden Seeds® at the right depth, keep the seedbed moist, and thin the seedlings as they grow. Then water steadily, weed early, mulch lightly, and watch the weather. Those simple habits make a real difference.

If you have been searching for how to grow spinach successfully in Texas or another warm state, fall is the season to try. The long, mild cool season gives you a real advantage. You can often harvest well before deep winter arrives.

Spinach also fits nicely into a larger fall plan. It grows well beside other quick fall garden crops and helps keep your garden full after summer fades. Instead of letting beds sit empty, you can turn them into something productive and delicious.

I always enjoy seeing how fast spinach goes from seed to plate. There is something satisfying about sowing a simple row and picking dinner a few weeks later. It reminds you that gardening does not always have to be hard to be worthwhile.

So give it a try this season and grow spinach in your fall garden. You may find that fresh spinach changes your mind about this old-fashioned vegetable for good. Once you taste it straight from your own backyard, you will never compare it to a can again.

Monday, September 7, 2026

Happy Labor Day.

Good morning. I had trouble sleeping last night so I woke up late this morning, at 7:22am! I got up, fed the dogs, had some coffee and a quick bite and then got outside to feed the cat, fish, chickens, and goats because Matt has the day off again--three days off in a row. Me? I worked on Saturday and Sunday. Hopefully, today, I won't have to.

I just got this page's article on how to grow spinach in your fall garden together this morning.

Someone is here working on my greenhouse. David is outside working on something. The back 40 yard project is still not done and the guy is not here yet. I guess he will show up again this evening...

Clark Kent in front and Lois Lane behind him

Happy Labor Day! Amazingly, no customers have stopped by yet. It is now 4pm. I have been getting things done around the house. David made a potato salad for this evening. He grilled burgers for lunch. Now he is at the store working. It is 101° Fahrenheit outside and I hate it.

Ozzie on left with Ike in foreground, behind are Tom and Jerry, left to right. Ozzie almost looks like Markie except for his pretty blue eyes.

This is Harry, Ozzie's twin. He looks like his mom, Gracie.

I went out at 6:30pm to take care of goats and chickens. David was mowing out back. I went in at 6:57pm, looked out the kitchen window while washing my hands, and the yard guy had pulled in back there. It got dark fast and he left around 8:15pm, still not completing the work after three trips over here. Why not come at 7am and get it done in one trip?

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Good morning. Happy birthday to my brother, John. Back East, today is the day that everyone goes back to school, not at the beginning of August, like they do here when it is way too hot.

I hear from El Paso, that repairs are supposed to begin on my mother's mobile home today but they will have to leave the home and they have nowhere to go. After the interview ran on the local news, many generously donated and the roofer said they would start today but that was last weekend. They tried to contact the roofer yesterday to say they could not go anywhere, but he never answered the phone. Of course, yesterday was a holiday.

Will he show up today? Will they find a place to stay while the electricity is turned off? They can't stay in a construction zone but they refuse to pack. They don't have money for a hotel for 4 weeks. If they don't, they will be out on the street soon...

Matt is here bright and early, before 7am. He has been in and out of the house but I don't know why. They won't tell me. Everything here is a big, fat secret.

Well, it is time for me to get some breakfast and start on orders again.

It was a busy day of orders and customers and we were closed! Ha!

The roofer guy did not show up at my mother's house. (See last week's page.) He said he wasn't ready even though he promised the work would start today. Now it is raining over there and it is supposed to rain for several days this week. This is putting more rain in the house because there are holes.

Also, he says he did not get enough money. He set the goat for $4460 and they got $8865. He wants $22,000 so why did he set the GoFundMe so low? He has stopped the donations from coming in but he is not telling my mother what is going on. They should have at least tarped the roof to prevent further damage but that did not happen.

The guy should be forthcoming and tell my mother what is going on but that is not happening. I am getting this news from my sister who also lives there in El Paso.

I guess time will tell whether or not the guy is going to fix the roof or not.

Meanwhile, the yard project guy came over tonight while we were gone to a church business meeting and finished.

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Good morning. It was another hot, miserable day. We had to see our doctor this morning. Then I had to go over to the hospital to schedule tests with faxes from the doctor. I have been trying to schedule some tests he wants me to have since April but he hasn't been faxing them to the right number. Instead of faxing to the right number, he made me manually carry them over.

The doctor is putting me on some new meds as well.

Then we ran a few errands and got some groceries. We had two sets of customers while we were gone. (Yes, we were closed today.) When we are open, they don't show up...

After we got back, I have been shipping orders. Tonight, it is the MasterChef finale so that will be fun to watch.

It was fun but they only played one hour so I have to wait until next week to find out who won on MasterChef. They normally play both finale hours together.

The roofer went by my mother's house today but still has not said when work will begin. My mother is set to be tossed out of her mobile home on Sunday, September 13 and this guy still has not begun work. I just don't know...

Thursday, September 10, 2026

Good morning. I have a ton of orders to get out plus a new pick up order that I have to do first thing before she shows up...

David and Matt are out back doing yard things. Hopefully, they will fix the goat platforms as the goats have broken through the wood and can now get hurt.

The yard project man's wife is supposed to come today and pick up the guy's check so I had to write that.

No word this morning on the status of my mother's eviction...This is all so stressful. I don't understand why that roofer doesn't get his crap together and start the work if he is truly going to do something before my mother is evicted and has to live on the streets of El Paso along with my sister and two brothers.

The yard project guy came out to get the check himself while I was dealing with two customers who were in the store.

A painter came to my mother's house and painted two outside walls of the house. No work has been done to the roof or anywhere else yet. Not sure why you would paint a house first before putting on a new roof...The guy says now that he will begin work next Tuesday. None of this makes any sense.

Friday, September 11, 2026

Good morning. The dogs had a good night and did not go out once since 10pm last night until 6:20am. No barking or carrying on all night long. Now they have gone back to sleep while I have some coffee and get my life together.

Today is the 25th anniversary of 9/11, the day we were attacked by al-Queda.

I went out to take care of the animals this morning as Matt went in to San Antonio with his father for the whole day.

Markie is sick and I don't know what is going on. He is breathing funny and isn't eating. He is losing weight...Everyone else is okay.

I found a dead bird in the girl's water and it made me feel sick. I had to pick up the water and dump it over the fence so the dead bird would go out of it. Then I cleaned it out and went in and got ready for the day.

Look at how silly this cat poses when she sleeps. I snapped this today.

Throughout the day, I had two customers and three delivery drivers. David and Matt got here around 4:20pm. Matt had a look at Markie and looked it up online. He is pretty sure it is parasites.

Matt called Tractor Supply and the guy had medicine waiting for him when he got there. He drove all the way back over here and administered it to Markie. He has to take another dose in the morning. I wonder if that is why George died last year, too. He was having some stomach problems. We are learning a lot...I just hope the little guy is okay. Thank God Matt will be here in the morning.

Also, I hurt my big toe this afternoon and it hurts but it is not broken. Fun, fun times!

Saturday, September 12, 2026

Good morning. Matt got here very early. Apparently, some helpers are coming in to plant beans out back this morning.

The fall garden was planted in a 20 bed hoop house. They would have planted more but David got tired.

Thank you to our church's Trail Life USA troop for sending 2 boys to help David with the fall garden. David and Matt are very happy!

Some of the young men from the Trail Life USA troop at Black Creek Baptist Church came by this morning to earn a badge by helping David plant a fall garden. They planted four types of beans, squash, cucumbers, and some tomato plants that David started in the greenhouse back in July. Thank you to Noah and Thomas.

Matt says Markie seems to be doing a bit better. After the boys left, he went out to give Markie the rest of the medicine.

Sunday, September 13, 2026

Well, I have some bad news. I had a feeling...I went out to take care of the animals. I saw Markie just lying there from across the property. Yes, he passed away in the night. I think we caught the parasites too late. I am so sad.

All of the other goats seem to be just fine.

It is currently 2pm and 99°. Alexa said we have a 49% chance of rain but the Weather Channel app says 15% so my guess is that we won't get any.

Return from Grow Spinach In Your Fall Garden to Year 8 of Farm Life

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