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
  • Baby spinach
  • Young spinach

Green leaf crop. Spinach grows best in cooler weather and quickly runs to seed in warm weather. Can be sown in Fall/Autumn and overwintered if protected by mulch. Not recommended to grow in warm areas. Alternatives suitable for warm areas are Swiss Chard (Silverbeet) or NZ spinach.

Will not grow well in acid soil.

Succession sowing will provide a supply through the winter months.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Spinach

Use young leaves in salad.
Steam and add to other vegetables.

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
03 Oct 23, Elaine Fortune (USA - Zone 10a climate)
what is the best variety of spinach to grow in zone 10a?
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02 Aug 21, Henry R (USA - Zone 7a climate)
Best month to plant fall spinach and type in raised beds?
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06 Aug 21, Anon (USA - Zone 6a climate)
Go by the guide here.
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21 Nov 19, William Rowe (USA - Zone 9b climate)
When is the optimal time to grow romaine lettuce in 9b (Ocala,Fl). Thank you.
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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!
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12 Sep 13, Mike (USA - Zone 5a climate)
What varieties do best in a September planting?
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See comments for all plants

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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