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 Sep 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Go to your South African spinach page and it tells you when to plant.
17 Feb 20, Jett hook (Australia - temperate climate)
Can spinach be grown in northern Victoria
18 Feb 20, anon (Australia - temperate climate)
Set your climate zone to temperate then select spinach (which you already have done). Read the info provided. There is a monthly calendar there at the top to tell you when to plant.
21 Nov 19, William Rowe (USA - Zone 9b climate)
When is the optimal time to grow romaine lettuce in 9b (Ocala,Fl). Thank you.
14 Jan 21, C.M. (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Ocala, FL is not 9b, it is 9a. You need a better detailed map. If you live all the way up in Ocala and try to use a 9b grow time, you put yourself the risk of a ruined crop due to frost. Also, I am in right below you in southern Marion county and still considered as zone 9a. Good luck!
10 Feb 19, Sandy (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
How successful is English spinach grown in Winter rainfall areas in South Africa . Any advice ? Thank you
16 Jun 18, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I live in cool area, I’m growing soybeans but I was not very successful, I can not produce sweet soybeans, the seeds were bitter when I try them. Tell me length of time to plant tell harvest to an edible seeds pls.
16 Jun 18, Mike L (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Seeing they are not discussed here I suggest you try googling
11 Jun 18, Dhan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am searching the recommended fertilizer application rate for spinach in Australian climate ( Melbourne).
13 Jun 18, Mike L (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Any general fertiliser will do. 10-12% N 4-8% P 10-14% K - use 2-3 teaspoons to 9 liters of water. A bit more if the plants are well established less if small seedlings.
Showing 11 - 20 of 114 comments

Leafy greens like humus rich soil. Add some well-composted chicken manure and mulch around the plants. As for seeds, it depends on what you mean by spinach. Here in Australia some people call silverbeet (Beta vulgaris) spinach while others use the word spinach when referring to true spinach (Spinacia oleracea). For the former, seed is found on seed stalks that the plant sends up after it has been through a winter. The seeds are rough and corky and when dry can be easily stripped from the stalks between fingers and thumb. For the latter, it is similar but you need to be very careful. Older varieties have very thorny seeds so do not attempt stripping them from the stalks without a sturdy pair of gloves. True spinach has male and female plants so you will need at least one of each for seed. More is better.

- RayS

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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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