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Spinach
Spinacia oleracea
Cool-season leaf that bolts the moment summer arrives.
Sun
Sun in spring/autumn, shade in summer
Water
Steady
Soil
Rich, moist, pH 6.5–7.0
Spacing
10–15 cm apart
Days to harvest
35–50 days
Hardiness
Zones 3–9
Seasonal Calendar
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Sow Harvest
The method
- 1
Sow direct
Sow 1 cm deep in cool soil. Germination is fast in 10–15°C.
- 2
Thin
Thin to 10 cm; use thinnings in salad.
- 3
Water daily in warm spells
Water stress triggers instant bolting.
- 4
Harvest
Take outer leaves with scissors or cut the whole plant 3 cm above soil.
Common problems
Bolting
Skip mid-summer sowings; choose slow-bolt varieties.
Leaf miner
Cover with mesh; remove blistered leaves.
Good neighbors
StrawberryRadishPea
Field tips
- “An autumn sowing under cloches gives leaves right through late winter.”
- “Baby leaves are milder — pick young for salads.”