Bolting (tall stalk, bitter leaves)

Heat or lengthening days. Grow in spring and fall, give afternoon shade, and pick young.

Nitrogen shortage or waterlogged soil. Feed with a nitrogen-rich amendment and ensure good drainage.

Pale patches or tunnels in leaves

Leaf miners. Remove affected leaves and use row cover.

Spinach seed will not sprout when it is hot. Sow in cool soil; pre-chill seed in the fridge before a late sowing.

Gardening

A fast, cold-hardy green for spring and fall. Bolts in heat, so grow it cool.

The free tool tailors timing to your climate and lets you save this plant.

Sun

Part shade

Hardiness zones

Zones 3–10

Spacing

3–5 in apart, rows 12 in apart.

Soil

Rich, moisture-retentive soil with plenty of compost; pH 6.5–7.0. It is a heavy nitrogen feeder.

Watering

Keep evenly moist, about 1–1.5 in/week. Dry soil and heat trigger bolting.

Plant / sow (typical)

Mar – Apr

Harvest (typical)

May – Jun

Starting

Direct sow in cool soil; it dislikes transplanting. Succession-sow every 2 weeks and sow again in late summer for a fall crop.

Companions

Good with Strawberry, Radish, Pea, Lettuce. Keep apart from None notable.

Bolting (tall stalk, bitter leaves). Heat or lengthening days. Grow in spring and fall, give afternoon shade, and pick young.
Yellowing leaves. Nitrogen shortage or waterlogged soil. Feed with a nitrogen-rich amendment and ensure good drainage.
Pale patches or tunnels in leaves. Leaf miners. Remove affected leaves and use row cover.
Poor germination in warm soil. Spinach seed will not sprout when it is hot. Sow in cool soil; pre-chill seed in the fridge before a late sowing.