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

Your comments and tips

27 Jul 17, chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
It's a leafy green so likes a bit of nitrogen. Dynamic lifter?
13 May 16, Marilyn (Australia - temperate climate)
We get severe frosts during winter- should we have it covered over night for protection ? Thank you
05 Dec 15, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Good idea to go out at night with a bright torch. I found an advancing army of slugs and snails sliding across the the dewey wet lawn heading to the vege patch. I just use a little hand spade and chop them in half. After several nights of disposing of up to 20 a night they are now almost non existent. It's good fun . . . hehehe.
14 Dec 15, Jaime (Australia - temperate climate)
Hehehe love it! I've also heard a bowl of beer? Apparently they are drawn to this as they like the taste and then drown. Am yet to try this....
29 Feb 16, George (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I put beer in a bowl and then cover it with a lid to stop rain and wind ruining it but leaving a gap between the two. I can confirm it works.
23 Oct 15, StueeDee (Australia - arid climate)
I surmise the culprit may be slugs and snails and if that is then this recipe will assist: - Wormwood Brew - Handfuls of wormwood leaves, branches etc... in a bucket filled with water (hot water will work quicker) and really macerate it (smash it up to release the volatiles) sit for a day or more and strain. Once strained add into a spray bottle this liquid and add a lil >veg oil and
03 Oct 15, Faye McGrath (Australia - temperate climate)
My English spinach is growing well but the leaves are becoming 'mottled' and paler. Obviously there is a lack of somrthing. Can you tell me what? Thank you Faye
21 Dec 14, neetu (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
i've got heaps of green kind of baby spinach does'nt have round shape it has spear look,not sure what is that and its keep spreading out in my garden. regards NM
12 Jun 15, Lucas (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Google "Warrigal Greens", it might be them.
16 Nov 14, Barbara Donovan (Australia - temperate climate)
When to pull spinach out?? We pick and have had many re growths?? Help?
Showing 21 - 30 of 76 comments

I have success with this seed. I keep it damp and protected. In the middle of a group of plants I just sprinkle seed. then transplant it before it get over 10-15 cm. Snails are the worst enemy of new shoots so you will have to protect the seed as they shoot.

- Noelene Smith

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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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