Spinach Growing Guide

Spinacia oleracea

Spinach

Crop Rotation Group

Chenopodiaceae (Beet family) 

Soil

Rich soil that has been generously amended with fully composted manure or another high-nitrogen compost. Use raised beds in clay soil.

Position

Sun to partial shade.

Frost tolerant

Yes, survives winter with mulch in many climates.

Feeding

Not needed for spring crops grown in rich soil, but older plants benefit from feeding with a liquid feed in spring, when they show vigorous new growth.

Spacing

Single Plants: 7" (20cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 5" (15cm) with 11" (30cm) row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Easy to grow from seeds sown in spring, one-half inch deep and 2 inches apart. Also can be started indoors and moved outside under cloches in early spring.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Keep well watered. Spinach grows tall and goes to seed when days become long and hot. Grow a second crop in the fall.

Harvesting

Pick individual leaves, or allow plants to grow into dense, leafy rosettes.

Troubleshooting

Slow growth and yellowing leaves indicate nutritional stress. Drench with a water soluble plant food.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Spinach