Spinach / Orach

Spinach Growing Information

Spinach is a cool-season annual. Plant spinach before the weather warms in spring and again as the weather cools in early autumn. Spinach doesn’t grow well during long hot summer days or in wet weather however some hybrid varieties have been bred to withstand hotter weather.

Where to grow Spinach:

• Grow spinach in full sun. Grow spinach in partial shade in warm regions.
• Plant spinach in well-drained, loamy soil rich in organic matter. Add two inches of aged compost or a commercial organic planting mix to the planting beds before planting.
• Spinach prefers a soil pH of 6.0 to 6.8.
• Spinach is hardy and thrives in cool weather; ideal spinach growing weather is 10-21°C.
• Warm weather and long days will cause spinach to bolt—that is it will flower and go to seed. Some hybrids such as Seaside F1 and Lizard F1 have been bred to withstand higher temperatures.

Companion plants: Grow spinach with other greens and Plant spinach in the shadows of tall crops such as corn or pole beans.

Watering and Feeding:

• Keep the soil evenly moist throughout the growing season to grow spinach quickly.
• Avoid splashing muddy water onto leaves; mulch around plants with straw or chopped leaves to avoid getting soil on leaves.
• Side dress plants with compost tea or a dilute solution of fish emulsion every two weeks during the growing season.
• Side dress spinach with aged compost at midseason.