Spinach

The second sowing that I have started this year, aside from a couple of flowers, is spinach. I sowed the seeds back on March 3rd and they have started to appear.

Spinach

Starting

Spinach can be continually sown for a couple of months at the beginning of the year, about 4-5 weeks before the final frost date. For me, in Victoria, BC this is about March time with my final frost date being around April 19th.

Spinach takes around 1-2 weeks to germinate, and do not like to be transplanted, and so they should be started directly outside. Spinach seeds should be sown around 3" apart, although if you want larger leaves, then spacing should be around 8".

Growing

Spinach is fast-growing, productive and can grow in small spaces, making it a very attractive vegetable to plant. It is a heavy feeder, and benefits from monthly applications of a fertilizer high in nitrogen, for example fish emulsion.

Spinach is not a fan of hot weather, however, and will bolt to seed, causing the leaves to taste bitter. Regular watering (at least twice weekly in warm weather) )is essential to create steady growth in the plant and minimize bolting. One plant that is not actually a spinach but is very close in taste is New Zealand spinach. This plant does not mind the Summer heat and will not bolt.

Harvesting

Cut outer leaves when they are around 1-2" above ground level. If it looks like the plant is about to bolt then harvest the entire plant for a little extra harvest before the leaves turn bitter.