General
Spinach is a cool-season leafy green valued for rapid growth and high nutrient density. It thrives in cool, moist conditions and short days. Spring and late-summer/early-autumn sowings give the best quality leaves; hot, long days trigger bolting. Choose bolt-resistant varieties for late spring, and overwinter-hardy types for early spring harvests. Savoyed types tolerate cold better; smooth-leaf types are easier to wash.
Light
Full sun to partial shade; partial shade is ideal in warm periods to reduce bolting.
Soil type
Moisture-retentive, well-drained loam enriched with compost; high in organic matter.
Water requirement
Keep evenly moist; aim for 20–25 mm per week, more during dry spells. Avoid waterlogging.
Nutrient requirement
Medium to high nitrogen demand. Provide steady but moderate nitrogen; avoid heavy, late nitrogen that encourages bolting in heat.
Precultivation
Spinach is best direct-sown, but a short preculture is possible to get an early start. Sow in cell trays 2–3 cm deep at 8–12°C. Grow on cool and bright to prevent legginess. Harden off for 5–7 days before transplanting. Avoid long indoor periods (>3 weeks) as plants become rootbound and bolt earlier.
Planting
Direct sow 1.5–2.5 cm deep. Row spacing 20–30 cm; thin to 7–10 cm for baby leaves or 15–20 cm for full-size plants. For continuous supply, succession-sow every 2–3 weeks in spring and late summer. In warm weather, provide afternoon shade or use a light shade cloth. Mulch after emergence to keep soil cool and moist.
Pruning
No formal pruning. Regularly harvest outer leaves or cut above the crown to promote new growth. Remove any flower stalks at first sign to slow bolting.
Maintenance
Keep soil evenly moist; mulching helps. Side-dress with compost or a light nitrogen feed once after first pick. Hoe or hand-weed shallowly to avoid root damage. Use insect mesh against leaf miners; remove and destroy mined leaves promptly. In late autumn, low tunnels or fleece extend the season and protect to several degrees below freezing.
Harvest
Harvest baby leaves 25–35 days after sowing; full-size leaves 35–50 days. Pick outer leaves every few days to keep plants vegetative and delay bolting. For cut-and-come-again, cut plants 2–3 cm above the crown; avoid injuring the growing point. Harvest in the cool of morning; in hot spells, pick smaller leaves for best flavor and texture. After light frosts, autumn leaves become sweeter; protect with fleece to continue picking into late autumn. Rinse and chill quickly; store unwashed in a breathable bag with a paper towel for up to a week.
Common issues
Bolting due to heat/long days—use bolt-resistant varieties, provide partial shade, keep evenly moist, and sow at cooler times. Yellowing leaves may indicate nitrogen deficiency or water stress. Leaf miner creates tunnels—exclude with insect mesh and remove affected leaves. Downy mildew—improve air flow, avoid overhead watering late in the day, and choose resistant varieties.
Rotation schedule
Rotate on a 3–4 year cycle away from Amaranthaceae (spinach, beetroot, chard). Follow heavy feeders with spinach to use residual fertility; precede by legumes or compost-amended beds. Avoid planting after beet/chard to reduce leaf miner and disease carryover.
Pollination
Not applicable for harvest; grown for leaves. Flowers are wind-pollinated but usually removed to prevent bolting.
Companion plants
Peas, beans, brassicas (cabbage, broccoli), strawberries, onions, garlic, radishes, dill, calendula.
Incompatible plants
Beetroot and chard (same family; shared pests like leaf miner), amaranth/quinoa, and fennel (allelopathic/competitive).
