How to grow spinach

Growing spinach for the first time

Difficulty: Easy · Sun: part shade · Ready in: about 45 days

1. Choose the spot

Pick a spot with some sun and some shade. It does best in loam, clay soil with a pH of 6.5–7.5. Avoid sandy soil, or improve it with compost.

2. Sow or plant

Sow outdoors in Mar, Apr, May, Aug, Sep. Space plants about 15 cm apart.

3. Look after it

• Water roughly every 3 days, more in hot or dry weather. Water the soil, not the leaves.
• No regular feeding needed in good soil — a mulch of compost is enough.
• Keep weeds down, and add a daily note and photo to your BeAgric grow diary so you can spot problems early.

4. Watch for problems

Common problems: Downy mildew. Take a photo with Check a plant if leaves look spotted, yellow or wilted.

5. Organic tip

Sow in light shade in summer to slow bolting.

6. Harvest

Expect your first harvest about 45 days after planting. Record it in Harvests and list any spare on the marketplace.