Spinach

Fast-growing and nutrient-dense. Sow in spring and again in late summer to avoid the bolting season.

Written by Yemi · Last reviewed August 2026

Waiting this month

First sprouts in 7–14 days

Difficulty

Now is a good time to sow Spinach. Follow the sowing guide below.

Growing Calendar

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Sow

Transplant

Harvest

This month: Sep

Log to journal

Start seeds indoors this week

•Fill tray with compost
•Sow seeds evenly
•Cover lightly with soil
•Water gently
•Place in warm light spot

Sowing Guide

What you'd find on the seed packet

Sow Depth

2.5cm

Spacing

15cm

Germination

7–14days

Thinning

Thin to 15cm apart when seedlings reach 5cm tall

Grower's Note

Spring sowings (Feb–May) and autumn sowings (Aug–Sep) avoid the bolting risk of midsummer heat.

Recommended Varieties

'Medania' holds an RHS Award of Garden Merit, has some mildew resistance and is slow to bolt, the reliable year-round choice. 'Mikado' also holds an AGM and was bred specifically for bolt resistance in summer sowings, worth it if spinach has run to seed on you before. For organic growing, The Organic Gardening Catalogue lists 'Palco' F1 as a certified organic alternative bred for bolt and downy mildew resistance, though it's still an F1 rather than open-pollinated.

Planting Out Guide

Best spaces, conditions and how to plant out

Plant Spacing

15–20cm

Best Grown In

Raised beds, containers, open ground

Conditions

Partial shade preferred in summer. Fertile, moisture-retentive soil. Avoid hot, dry conditions.

Grower's Note

Spring and autumn plantings give the best results: spinach bolts in high summer heat. Sow successionally for a continuous harvest.

Growing Stages

Approximate weeks from sowing to harvest

Sprouting

1wks

Seeds germinate and first leaves emerge. Keep warm and moist.

Establishing

2wks

Root system develops and plant builds structure. Pot on if needed.

Maturing

4wks

Plant reaches full size and begins producing. Harvest at peak.

Total~7 weeksfrom seed to harvest

Companion Plants

Plant these nearby for natural pest control, better yields, and healthier soil.

Peas

Fixes Nitrogen

Peas fix nitrogen from the air into the soil as they grow, enriching it for Spinach.

Lettuce

Suppresses Weeds

Lettuce's low, spreading growth works as a living mulch, shading out weeds around Spinach.

Radish

Repels Pests

Radish works as a trap crop for flea beetle, pulling their attention away from Spinach.

Nasturtium

Repels Pests

Nasturtium acts as a sacrificial trap crop, drawing aphids and cabbage white caterpillars away from your Spinach.

Chives

Repels Pests

Chives' oniony scent masks the smell pests use to find Spinach, and can help reduce fungal spotting too.

Climate Control

Today

—C

Humidity

—%

Water

Every 2–3 days

Sunlight

3–6 hours sun

Watch Out For

Bolts rapidly in heat: choose bolt-resistant varieties for summer sowings and provide light shade during the hottest part of the day

Slugs will devastate young seedlings overnight: protect with copper tape or grit and check plants regularly during wet weather

Downy mildew in wet or overcrowded conditions: improve spacing, choose resistant varieties and avoid overhead watering

Pests & Problems

Full guide

Downy Mildew

Yellow patches on upper surface

Sep–Nov

Leaf Miner

Pale winding trails inside leaves

May–Sep

Aphids

Colonies on leaf undersides

Apr–Sep

What You'll Need

Equipment for growing spinach

Organic Seeds: Just Seed

Certified organic, open-pollinated

Coir Compost 9L: Coco & Coir

Organic, peat-free, RHS-approved

Modular Seed Tray

96-cell for precision sowing

Slug Nematodes: Gardening Naturally

Biological slug control, safe for pets & wildlife

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Grown Organically

Every method in this guide works with natural systems: no synthetic chemicals, no shortcuts.

Read our approach

Common Questions

About growing Spinach in the UK

When should I sow spinach in the UK?

Sow spinach from March to May for a summer harvest, or August to September for winter and spring pickings. Avoid sowing in high summer: spinach bolts rapidly in heat and long days.

Why does my spinach bolt so quickly?

Spinach is a cool-season crop that bolts (runs to seed) when temperatures exceed 25°C or day length increases past about 14 hours. Grow bolt-resistant varieties in summer, use shade cloth, and water consistently.

Can spinach grow in pots?

Yes, spinach grows well in containers at least 15–20cm deep. Use a rich, moisture-retentive compost. Sow densely and harvest as cut-and-come-again baby leaves for maximum yield from a small space.

How do I get continuous spinach harvests?

Sow in small batches every 2–3 weeks from March to May, then again in August. Harvest outer leaves regularly to delay bolting. Pairing spring and autumn sowings gives two productive seasons without the mid-summer gap.

Written from real growing experience, not just research. Read the story behind Pelham Gardens.

Member guides

There's more to growing Spinach than this guide covers.

A Garden Journal to log what worked, a personalised sowing planner in My Garden, and monthly reminders timed to the calendar.

See what's included