Across the U.S., spinach ripen from California (early February) all the way to Florida (mid-December). Hatched chalk is the early and late shoulder; the solid stretch is peak.
Deep green leaves that stand up crisp, with no yellowing or dark wet spots.
Feel
Leaves should snap cleanly when folded, not bend limply.
Smell
Fresh and faintly grassy; any sour note means the bunch is past it.
Tip
Cold-weather spinach picked after frost is thicker and sweeter — ask for the crinkly savoy type.
Keeps
Fridge in a loose bag with a dry paper towel, 5 to 7 days.
U-pick spinach?
Rarely offered u-pick; buy same-day cut bunches at spring and fall market stalls.
Frequently asked questions
When are spinach in season?
It depends where you stand. Across the U.S., spinach ripen from California (early February) all the way to Florida (mid-December). In most growing states the peak lands around May — your own state's row on the board above is the honest answer.
Which state has the longest spinach season?
California, where the season runs early January to late December. Long seasons usually mean a big state with more than one growing region inside it.
When are spinach in season near me?
Pick your state on the what's-in-season board (it remembers you), or jump to your state's row above — each one links to the full spinach-and-state page.