spinach

Plant Height                           

Up to 30cm/12" 

Time between sowing and harvesting      

8-12 weeks

Where to Sow                       

Outdoors in open ground or in containers

Sowing time                           

Outdoors late March to May  - temperature   +10C/50F. 

How to Sow                          

2.5cm/1" deep - thinly  in rows 30cm/12" apart or in groups/blocks

After Germination                  

When the seedlings are large enough to handle,  thin to  7.5cm/3" apart. Throw away the thinnings as these do not transplant well.

Growing on -  in Pots             

Keep very well watered and avoid dry spells.

Growing on- in ground           

As above

Aftercare                               

Once the plants have reached 15cm/6", thin again by  removing alternate plants. These thinnings can be used in cooking. Keep the plants well watered and weed free.

Harvesting                             

Start picking young when the leaves have reached 5-7.5cm/2-3", starting with the outer leaves. Only pick a few leaves from each plant (no more than half the total leaves per plant at any one time). Pick regularly to encourage new growth and prolong the cropping season. Crops over 16-20 weeks.