Winter Spinach
Giant Winter Spinach is a cold-hardy cultivar of Spinacia oleracea bred for the Pacific Northwest's growing conditions, where it thrives in zones 3 through 9. This leafy green reaches maturity in just 45 days, delivering tender leaves packed with protein, vitamins, minerals, and protective compounds that support eye health and cardiovascular function. Its frost-hardy nature makes it a reliable choice for fall and early spring gardens, while the large leaves allow for flexible harvesting from baby stage through full maturity.
Full Sun
High
3-9
?in H x ?in W
Annual
Moderate
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Spinacia oleracea selected specifically for vigor and cold tolerance, this variety performs exceptionally well in the Pacific Northwest's cool-season climate. The leaves develop substantial size for a spinach cultivar, and the plants demonstrate strong resistance to bolting even as temperatures fluctuate. At just 45 days to harvest, you can have nutrient-dense greens on your table faster than most leafy crops, whether you pick baby leaves at 3 to 4 inches or wait for full-sized plants.
This spinach excels in raw preparations where its tender leaves and substantial size shine in salads and fresh presentations. The high protein content and micronutrient profile (vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, and carotenoids) make it especially valued as a nutritional powerhouse in the kitchen. Individual leaves can be harvested at any stage, from tender baby greens at 3 to 4 inches for delicate salads to fully mature leaves for cooked dishes like soups, wilts, and warming winter preparations.
Direct sow seeds into moist garden soil when temperatures are between 50 and 70°F, spacing seeds 1 inch apart in rows 12 inches apart. Plant in spring as soon as soil is workable or in late summer for fall harvest.
Begin harvesting at 3 to 4 inches for tender baby greens, or wait for full plant maturity at 45 days. Individual leaves can be picked at any time once plants are established. For best quality, harvest in the cool part of the day, then immediately rinse leaves under cold water and refrigerate to lock in crispness and nutrients.
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“Giant Winter Spinach emerges from Territorial Seed Company's rigorous spinach breeding program, developed specifically to match the Pacific Northwest's unique growing conditions. Rather than sourcing generic varieties, Territorial focused their selection criteria on three priorities: flavor, vigor, and resistance to bolting and disease. This represents a deliberate effort to create a spinach cultivar tailored to regional climate rather than a universal variety, reflecting decades of observation about what thrives when temperatures dip and daylight shortens.”