Growing tips
Growing Conditions
Spinach prefers to grow in soil where there has been lots of organic matter (e.g. compost, well-rotted manure) added.
Winter spinach varieties like a sunny place to grow. Summer spinach prefers semi-shade, so try growing it amongst rows of taller crops.
There are winter hardy varieties of spinach, they don’t grow much in winter but become ready to pick in the spring.
When to grow
Sow winter varieties in September (summer varieites mid- March to the end of May). It’s important to check the seed packets carefully for sowing times of different types.
What you will need
- Packet of spinach seeds
- Gardening gloves
- A rake
- A hand trowel
How to grow
Sow thinly 1.5cm deep in rows or in a large container. If you are planting more than one row then allow 30cm between the rows. Once seedlings have grown, thin out the plants to allow 8cm between plants. You can use the thinnings in salads and cooking. A few weeks later harvest every alternate plant to allow 15cm final spacing between plants.
During hot and dry periods of weather don’t forget to water your plants. You can add a layer of mulch by putting a layer of compost, straw or leaf mould around the plants. This will help keep moisture in the soil. Don’t forget to protect your spinach during the winter, by covering the plants with cloches or protecting them with straw and horticultural fleece.
Harvesting
You can begin to harvest and eat (yummy!) spinach leaves by picking some of the leaves off the plant. For the winter varieties you can do this from October to April.
Pests and disease problems
Downy mildew can attack spinach; you can help to stop this by making sure there is space between the plants or by choosing mildew resistant varieties.
More information can be found on spinach on the Grow-Your-Own page