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 10°C and 25°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 20 - 30 cm apart
  • Harvest in 5-11 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Broad beans (fava), cabbage, cauliflower, celery, eggplant (aubergine), onion, peas, strawberry, santolina

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13 Jun 13, Micky (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Spinach is a rather tenacious plant and don't need much to prosper. They survived heavy frost in my garden this winter - and I live in Ermelo's weather zone where the winters are pretty nasty. You can really plant them any time of the year. The cultivars that grow best in winter are swiss chard and dash (baby spinach). Just keep your seedling protected by covering the ground with a thick layer of straw / dead grass after sowing and fertilize well. Water lightly every morning - over-doing the water will "drown" your seeds or expose them. Germination is about 2 - 4 weeks during the cold months so just be patient.
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16 Mar 12, vuyokazi ralanti (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
can i plant spinach on dry land?, what is the required temperature for the spinach to grow on its best?
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I planted spinach a couple of weeks ago and they have sprouted successfully, however, because I planted a few seeds in each hole - they have sprouted together. Rather than pull any out and lose them, is it possible to wait until they get to a certain size and then transplant them to a different area of my garden (as if they were a seedling). And if so, at what stage can I do that (ie. when they are how many centimetres tall)?

- Donna

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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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