Growing Spinach, also English spinach

Spinacia oleracea : Amaranthaceae / the amaranth family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      P       P P      

(Best months for growing Spinach in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 77°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 8 - 12 inches apart
  • Harvest in 5-11 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Broad beans (fava), cabbage, cauliflower, celery, eggplant (aubergine), onion, peas, strawberry, santolina
  • Baby spinach
  • Young spinach

Green leaf crop. Spinach grows best in cooler weather and quickly runs to seed in warm weather. Can be sown in Fall/Autumn and overwintered if protected by mulch. Not recommended to grow in warm areas. Alternatives suitable for warm areas are Swiss Chard (Silverbeet) or NZ spinach.

Will not grow well in acid soil.

Succession sowing will provide a supply through the winter months.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Spinach

Use young leaves in salad.
Steam and add to other vegetables.

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
03 Oct 23, Elaine Fortune (USA - Zone 10a climate)
what is the best variety of spinach to grow in zone 10a?
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02 Jun 23, Pete (Australia - temperate climate)
Perpetual Spinach. This year I planted some perpetual spinach in a fairly large pot. It has grown quite well but the leaves are quite bitter. I have grown Pepetual Spinach in my Veg plot and the leaves were fine, however everything wanted to eat it. Hence planting in a pot any ideas?. Cheers Pete
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02 Aug 21, Henry R (USA - Zone 7a climate)
Best month to plant fall spinach and type in raised beds?
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06 Aug 21, Anon (USA - Zone 6a climate)
Go by the guide here.
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01 May 21, lebo (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
what is the best pesticide/insecticides for tomato spinach green pepper and cabbage?
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06 May 21, Anonymous (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Look up some organic sprays - chilli, garlic soap combos.
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17 Apr 21, GERRIT (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
HOW BIG SHOULD SPINACH BE BEFOR TRANSPLANTED INTO GARDEN
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24 Apr 21, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
At the 4-6 true leaf stage. They need a good root system. You can plant earlier but you need to look after them a lot more. A little protection from the sun the first week helps. If possible plant late afternoon. A light watering morning and afternoon. Where I live the max and min temperatures have dropped approx 5-6 degrees over the last 3 weeks, makes it easier to plant crops.
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19 Apr 21, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Best to transplant when they have 4-6 true new leaves - about 3-4 weeks after germination.
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21 Sep 20, Krish Singh (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Can Spinach be grown successfully in areas where there is only a dry and a wet season. I see Swiss Chard grown, here.
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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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