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

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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 live in Qld - sub tropical climate. I have to say that I am surprised to find that apparently spinach does not grow in sub tropical climates. I planted baby spinach from seedlings at the start of September. They get 5 hours of full sun shine/day. That's full sun, no shade. I also have red spinach that I planted from seedling 4 weeks ago. No wilting, except once when I didn't water them early enough in the day. The chooks and myself have been harvesting a handful of leaves every second day or so. At the moment our ave. daily temp is around 30c, So I say give it ago.

- Erika Kimber

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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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