Growing Spinach, also English spinach

Spinacia oleracea : Amaranthaceae / the amaranth family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      P       P P      

(Best months for growing Spinach in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 25°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 20 - 30 cm apart
  • Harvest in 5-11 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Broad beans (fava), cabbage, cauliflower, celery, eggplant (aubergine), onion, peas, strawberry, santolina

Your comments and tips

11 Apr 11, Donna (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted spinach a couple of weeks ago and they have sprouted successfully, however, because I planted a few seeds in each hole - they have sprouted together. Rather than pull any out and lose them, is it possible to wait until they get to a certain size and then transplant them to a different area of my garden (as if they were a seedling). And if so, at what stage can I do that (ie. when they are how many centimetres tall)?
07 Jun 11, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I've found spinach don't transplant very well - they tend to shoot to seed - so I just pull out the extras and leave them on the ground as mulch.
03 Apr 11, Liz Strauss (Australia - temperate climate)
I am starting a no dig veg garden in my not very sunny garden and am starting with spinach and potatoes. Wonder if kale in a good companion for either of these . I live on the shores of Lake Macquarie between Sydney and Newcastle.
14 Dec 10, Alana Smith (Australia - tropical climate)
I purchased what is meant to be English Spinache at the local markets, but the plants have a purple/black berry on them is this normal?
18 Jun 12, Michelle Cruse (Australia - temperate climate)
That sounds like a climbing spinach I have. It has thick rubbery leaves, climbs like a trellis and puts out those small black/purple berries. I have used the leaves in cooking and the chooks & ducks seem to love them as well.
05 Dec 10, Colin (Australia - temperate climate)
I've been told recently that the spinach we get in Australia, is not true spinach. The claim is that it is the tops of a (?) root vegetable and that the real (English) Spinach is much darker in the leaves and is not a root vegetable. Can you please enlighten me?
17 Feb 11, Daniel (Australia - temperate climate)
Sam is right. Real spinach is called "Spinacea Oleracea" while the commonly known Spinach in Australia is actually Silverbeet or "BETA VULGARIS" and is from the Beet family. Also real spinach is harvested much smaller than silverbeet so the spacing only needs to be 8cm and not 15-20cm as advised on this page which is the spacing for silverbeet. (Opinions seem to vary on this - some gardeners recommend 10 - 20cm)
10 Dec 10, Sam (Australia - arid climate)
This could be checked by looking at the scientific name: Spinacia oleracea is Spinach. What is the scientific name of the root vegetable? Plenty of Aussies call Silverbeet "Spinach", is that the issue?
15 Oct 10, Charmaine (Australia - arid climate)
Hi I was wondering if you need to stake up spinach. Mines laying flat on the ground. Thank you
29 Oct 10, Paul (Australia - temperate climate)
Charmaine, You do not need to stake up spinach. If it is laying flat it possibly means one of the following: if leaves are large - its time to pick your spinach before it bolts its not getting enough water its in poor quality soil is it a winter spinach rather than a summer spinach (check the back of the pack). Planting it at the wrong time may inhibit proper germination/growth. I also notice that you are located in an arid area - I use to live in Alice Springs and know how hard it is to grow some stuff in red dirt and hot conditions - hence the nature of suggestions above. Hope this helps. Paul
Showing 81 - 90 of 114 comments

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Spinach

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.