Spinacia oleracea

Sowing and growing tips

Spinacia oleracea seeds prefer fertile, moisture-retentive yet well-drained soil in full sun to light shade. Sow when soil is workable, repeating at intervals until sustained heat arrives; in mild climates, autumn sowings or protected sowings give winter or early spring harvests. Sow shallowly and keep evenly moist for steady growth. This low-growing crop forms leafy rosettes, so allow space and thin to maintain airflow, following packet guidance. Consistent moisture and a mulch help prevent checks to growth and reduce bolting; provide light shade during hot spells. Harvest outer leaves regularly once plants are established to promote continued production.

• Sow 1–2 cm deep in drills; keep the top few centimetres evenly moist for reliable germination in cool conditions.
• Thin and space to allow leaf rosettes and airflow; follow packet guidance.
• Grow in full sun to light shade; in heat, provide light shade and steady moisture to deter bolting.
• Suited to containers; use a wide, deep pot with a fertile, moisture-retentive, well-drained mix.
• Grown for edible leaves; harvest outer leaves first for a steady supply.

How do I grow spinach (Spinacia oleracea) from seed?

Sow Spinacia oleracea seeds into cool, workable soil, covering them lightly at about 1–2 cm deep. Make shallow drills and water the furrow before sowing so moisture is at seed level, then keep the surface evenly damp until emergence. Spinach prefers cool germination, so in warm spells sow a little deeper or shade the row to keep soil cooler; pre-soaking seeds for a few hours can speed sprouting. Thin seedlings in stages to avoid shock. Maintain steady moisture and avoid waterlogging. Remove weeds early, as spinach grows low and dislikes competition, and protect young plants from slug and bird damage if these are common in your area.

When should I sow spinach outdoors, under cover, and for overwintering?

Sow outdoors as soon as the soil is workable after the last frost, and continue at intervals until sustained heat arrives. In regions with mild winters, autumn sowings can succeed; elsewhere, sow under protection (cloche, cold frame, or unheated tunnel) for winter growth and an early spring harvest. For overwintering, choose a late-summer to autumn sowing window while the soil still has warmth to establish plants before short days, then protect from severe cold and excess wet. Resume outdoor sowing as days lengthen and the ground thaws; pause during hot periods and start again as temperatures cool.

What soil and light conditions are best for spinach?

Spinach thrives in full sun to light shade, with light shade especially useful in warm spells to reduce stress and bolting. Soil should be fertile, moisture-retentive and well-drained; incorporate plenty of organic matter to hold moisture without becoming soggy. Mulch to moderate soil temperature and conserve moisture. Avoid compacted or waterlogged ground, which can check growth, and keep watering consistent—rapid swings from dry to wet can trigger premature bolting.

What spacing does spinach need, and how tall does it grow?

Spinach is low-growing, forming leaf rosettes. For baby leaf, thin or plant to about 5–10 cm apart in rows 15–20 cm apart; for full-sized plants, thin to 15–20 cm with 25–30 cm between rows. This spacing gives rosettes room to expand and maintains airflow, reducing mildew risk. If sowing densely for cut-and-come-again baby leaves, plan to harvest often and thin progressively. Always adjust based on variety and follow packet guidance.

Can spinach grow in containers, and how often should I sow for a continuous harvest?

Yes—use a wide container at least 20 cm deep with good drainage, filled with a rich, moisture-retentive vegetable mix. Space plants 10–15 cm apart for regular leaves or sow thickly for baby leaf. Water consistently, as pots dry quickly, and provide light shade in hot weather. For continuous harvest, sow small batches every 2–3 weeks while temperatures are cool and days are moderate; pause during sustained heat, then resume succession sowing as conditions cool again.

How do I harvest baby spinach and prevent bolting?

For baby leaves, start cutting when blades are 5–10 cm long, snipping outer leaves and leaving the center to regrow; for full heads, either continue leaf-by-leaf picking or cut the plant at the base before a flower stalk forms. To prevent bolting, keep growth steady and cool: sow early or late in the season, use light shade in warm spells, water evenly, avoid crowding, and harvest promptly. Heat, drought, and long days accelerate flowering, so choose bolt-tolerant varieties where available and maintain good airflow and soil moisture to keep plants productive longer.

Growing information is compiled from supplier specifications, horticultural references, and internal trials. Conditions differ between sites due to microclimate, soil texture, fertility, drainage, and prevailing weather, so guidance is a general overview rather than prescriptive instruction. Adjustments for local conditions such as temperature, rainfall, and exposure are expected, with timings like after last frost or when soil is workable. Individual product pages contain the most specific, up-to-date instructions for each item.

Growing Conditions and Sowing Notes

Spinacia oleracea seeds prefer cool, bright conditions and steady growth. Direct sow outdoors when the soil is workable, ideally after last frost; in mild climates autumn sowing may be possible for cool-season harvests. Choose fertile, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter, neutral to slightly alkaline. Sow 1–1.5 cm deep, spacing seeds 3–5 cm apart; thin seedlings to 10–15 cm with rows 25–30 cm apart. Keep the seedbed evenly moist without waterlogging to support reliable emergence. Germination is best in cool soil (approximately 5–18°C); warmer conditions can reduce germination and hasten bolting, so consider partial shade or pre-chilling seed in warmer periods. A light mulch helps conserve moisture and keeps roots cool. Harvest outer leaves regularly to maintain steady production; pick young for baby leaf or allow plants to size up for larger leaves. Rotate planting areas between seasons and maintain good airflow to limit pest and disease build-up; fine mesh can help protect foliage where leaf miners are common.