Spinach
KEY INFORMATION
Height: to 50cm
Spread: to 45cm
Hardy biennial
Sun or semi-shade
Germination: 6 - 10 days
Harvest: From 6 weeks
VARIETIES AVAILABLE FROM COLLIE FLOWERS
SOWING & GROWING SCHEDULE
Sow Indoors: n/a
Sow Outdoors: March to May, and July to October
Plant Out: n/a
Harvest: May to November
Growing Guide
Direct sow outdoors March - May and July to October in an open sunny position. Sow seeds at 3 week intervals for continuous cropping. Sow seed thinly, 1cm deep in broad drills 30cm apart. Thin seedlings to 5cm apart when large enough to handle. Water regularly through the season.
Before sowing enrich the soil by adding garden compost to the area you will be growing Spinach in, approx. 2 buckets per metre squared and raking until it is fine and crumbly, removing any large stones.
Protect the plants from birds by covering them with netting or fleece.
TOP TIPS
Harvest by picking a few leaves from each plant rather than stripping a whole plant. Snap leaves off close to the ground. If there are more leaves ready than you can use it is still best to pick them to encourage a steady supply of young green leaves, particularly as Spinach tends to bolt and get bitter when temperatures rise.