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How to Grow Spinach (Tyee variety)

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Spinach (Tyee variety)

Spinacia oleracea 'Tyee'

vegetable

Tyee is a cold-hardy, slow-bolting spinach variety known for its large, dark green, crinkled leaves and exceptional flavor. It's particularly valued for spring and fall production, excelling in cool seasons and resisting premature flowering. This versatile cultivar is excellent for both fresh eating and cooking applications.

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Example Spinach (Tyee variety) timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Spinach (Tyee variety)

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Spinach (Tyee variety)

    Around May 27

    ≈ 40 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Spinach (Tyee variety) dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun to partial shade, 4-6 hours of sunlight daily optimal
💧
Water: Consistent moisture; keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water 1-2 inches per week. More frequent watering in warm weather; reduce in cool seasons.
📏
Spacing: 4 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 40-50 days
🌱
Planting depth: 0.5

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
Compost Well-rotted manure Peat moss or coco coir Balanced fertilizer (10-10-10)

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 3-9; best grown in spring and fall in warmer regions

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

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Growth Stages

1

Germination

7-14 days

Seeds sprout and first true leaves emerge; seedlings are tender and small.

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Maintain cool temperatures (50-65°F ideal). Provide adequate light to prevent leggy growth.

2

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Young plants develop 2-3 true leaves; establish a small root system. Cotyledons fade as true leaves take over.

Thin seedlings to 4-inch spacing if direct seeded. Avoid overwatering which causes damping-off. Begin light feeding if needed.

3

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Plant develops characteristic large, dark green, crinkled foliage. Robust leaf production with no flowering impulse.

Maintain consistent moisture and cool temperatures (60-70°F). Feed every 2-3 weeks with balanced or nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Partial shade helps in warm weather.

4

Mature Leaf Stage

2-3 weeks or longer with successive harvesting

Plant reaches full size with abundant harvestable leaves; foliage is dense, crinkled, and flavorful. Ready for harvest.

Begin harvesting outer leaves to encourage continued production. Keep soil consistently moist. Monitor for bolting—cooler weather delays this.

5

Harvest/Post-Harvest

Ongoing until bolting or frost

Leaves are continuously harvested; plant may eventually bolt (flower) in warm conditions or longer days.

Harvest regularly to delay bolting and encourage new leaf growth. Pull entire plant or harvest outer leaves selectively. Once bolting occurs, flavor declines; consider succession planting.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Strawberry Radish Lettuce Cabbage Broccoli Beet Carrot Pea

Avoid planting near:

Potato Fennel Rue Chard (excessive nitrogen competition)

Common Pests

  • Spray with insecticidal soap, neem oil, or strong water stream. Release beneficial insects like ladybugs. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer.

  • Remove affected leaves. Use row covers. Spinosad spray for severe infestations. Encourage beneficial parasitic wasps.

  • Improve air circulation with wider spacing. Water at soil level only. Remove infected leaves. Apply sulfur dust or copper fungicide as preventive.

  • Use row covers on young plants. Spray with neem oil or pyrethrin. Maintain consistent moisture—stress makes plants more susceptible.

  • and

    Handpick early morning or evening. Create barriers with diatomaceous earth or copper tape. Encourage ground beetles and toads.

Uses

🍳

Fresh salads and raw consumption

Culinary

Tyee's large, tender leaves and sweet flavor make it exceptional for fresh salads, wilting into pasta, and raw preparations. The crinkled texture holds dressings beautifully. [source]

🍳

Cooked dishes and preservation

Culinary

Excellent for cooking down into soups, stews, curries, and sautéed side dishes. Blanches and freezes exceptionally well for winter storage. [source]

💊

Nutritional and health benefits

Medicinal

Rich in iron, magnesium, vitamins K and A, and antioxidants. Contains lutein for eye health and oxalates that provide mineral-binding properties. [source]

🏠

Natural food coloring and extraction

Household

Fresh spinach juice can be used as a natural green dye or food coloring in cooking and baking applications. [source]

🦋

Pollinator and beneficial insect support

Wildlife

When allowed to flower and bolt, spinach produces delicate green flowers that attract bees and provide pollen and nectar to early beneficial insects. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Begin harvesting outer leaves when plant is 4-6 weeks old and has 5-6 true leaves. Pinch or cut outer leaves from the base, allowing the center to continue growing for repeated harvests. Early morning harvest yields the crispest, best-flavored leaves. For maximum tenderness and mild flavor, harvest before bolting occurs. Entire plant can be harvested by cutting just above soil line, or practice selective leaf harvesting for 2-3 weeks of continuous production.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Tyee spinach was developed in Japan and is particularly cold-hardy, capable of surviving light frosts and winter conditions in milder climates.
  • 🌱 The crinkled leaves of Tyee (also called savoy spinach) have 40% more surface area than smooth-leaved varieties, making them superior for trapping dressing and providing better texture in salads.
  • 🌱 Spinach contains oxalic acid, which binds to calcium and iron, reducing bioavailability—however, cooking substantially reduces oxalate content, making cooked spinach a more efficient source of these minerals.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Bolt Cultivar Full Sun Partial Shade Succession Planting True Leaves
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