How to Grow Spinach

Planning the crop
English spinach (Spinacea oleracea) is a cool-climate vegetable that tends to bolt (run to seed) in warm weather. In warm climates sow in early autumn for late autumn to winter harvest. In cooler districts, grow through summer; plants will benefit from the shade cast by neighbouring plants’ leaves. Spinach is a fast-growing green leafy vegetable that needs a generously composted, moist but well-drained soil. It grows poorly in very acid soils; use dolomite to raise the soil pH to around 6.5. Two weeks before sowing any type of spinach, rake a pelleted balanced organic fertiliser into the soil.

How much to grow- Sow a 3.5–4.5 m row of round-seeded summer spinach every three weeks for a succession of leaves through summer.

Varieties- Smooth- and savoy-leaved varieties are available, as are cold-hardy varieties grown into winter in cool climates.

Sigmaleaf- Does not run to seed as quickly as most varieties; savoy-leaved; early-maturing.

Viroflay- Vigorous, deep green variety.

Winter Bloomsdale- A cold-resistant, early-maturing variety; dark green.

Other spinach-like species

Malabar, or Ceylon, spinach or basella- (Basella alba) A scrambling perennial climber for warm to tropical areas, with thick, succulent, delicious leaves.

Good King Henry or Mercury- (Chenopodium bonus-henricus) Closely related to spinach; tender, excellently flavoured leaves.

Mountain spinach or orach- (Atriplex hortensis) A hardy annual and excellent warm-climate spinach substitute; the seeds are used in baked goods.