Your comments and tips

18 Jun 12, Michelle Cruse (Australia - temperate climate)

That sounds like a climbing spinach I have. It has thick rubbery leaves, climbs like a trellis and puts out those small black/purple berries. I have used the leaves in cooking and the chooks & ducks seem to love them as well.

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03 Apr 11, Liz Strauss (Australia - temperate climate)

I am starting a no dig veg garden in my not very sunny garden and am starting with spinach and potatoes. Wonder if kale in a good companion for either of these . I live on the shores of Lake Macquarie between Sydney and Newcastle.

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11 Apr 11, Donna (Australia - temperate climate)

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)?

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07 Jun 11, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

I've found spinach don't transplant very well - they tend to shoot to seed - so I just pull out the extras and leave them on the ground as mulch.

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23 Apr 11, Liz Strauss (Australia - temperate climate)

I planted spinach seedlings from garden centre in my newly created no dig garden last week. they seem to be settling in ok except the outer leaves are yellow. I'm hoping this is just a settling in thing or should I be doing something about it now. Also discovered a little white /pale yellow butterfly visiting vegetables. I looked under leaves and have been squashing tiny white single eggs. How do I deter these butterflies or moths.

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28 May 11, Jacob (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi, about three weeks ago I planted three different types of Spinach "direct where they are to grow". I planted three or four seeds in each hole. Some of them have germinated but around 50% haven't. Would I be better off waiting or digging up the soil and planting new ones. Also, I am using open pollinated, or heirloom, seeds. Would this have something to do with the germination speed. Someone told me that when sowing open pollinated varieties to pour warm water over the area where they were planted. Help on this would be greatly appreciated, thank you :)

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03 Jul 11, Pru (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Liz, the white butterflies are cabbage moths, their larvae will eat the spinach. I cover my spinach with a light net so the moths cant land on them. Works a treat.

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09 Oct 11, Donna (Australia - temperate climate)

I have a few mature (about 6 months old) spinach plants in my garden that have grown quite large. The leaves have started to get curly. What causes this? Now that the plants are larger they are a bit crowded, could this be the cause? Is it because summer is coming on and they are getting more sun? Not enough fertiliser/food???? Please help.

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28 Feb 12, carol (Australia - temperate climate)

I am a novice gardner. I planted several musclman spinach plants about 4 weeks ago but they are very spindly & seem to be going to seed already. Should I be pruning the plants &/or picking the leaves for eating now. the picture on the label shows very thick leafy bushy plants. Any advice welcome. Also, should I prune the large leaves on an aubergine plant so the flowers are able to get more sun ?

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17 Apr 13, Andrew S (Australia - temperate climate)

A late reply..but better late than never.. Looking at your date of posting..I think it was a bit too hot for spinach in February, so they bolted. They are more an autumn, winter, spring plant. I had far better success during then after I planted them in late spring one year. On the aubergine, I wouldn't prune it. The leaves will help protect the fruit from too much sun when they form as they do burn easily on a very hot sunny day.

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