Latin Name: Spinacia oleracea
Main Uses: Culinary

Days to Maturity: 45 days
Exposure: Full sun
Certified Organic: USDA Certified Organic

Germination: 7 - 14 days in soil 4° C or warmer.
Sowing: Indoors start spinach transplants 3- 4 weeks before last frost date (or earlier if you are planning on hardening-off and planting out when temperatures are still cool). Sow 5 - 8 seeds per cell or plug. Apply Sea Magic from first watering. From second set of true leaves to time of transplanting, alternate between Sea Magic and seed-starting fertilizer (such as Evolve) once per week.
Planting Out: Plant in well-drained fertile soil once seedlings are established and risk of frost has passed or earlier if the seedlings have been sufficiently hardened off. Harden off by gradually setting seedlings outside for a couple of hours in a protected spot the first day and then increasing the time and exposure to elements each day thereafter for a period of about 6 - 10 days.
Sowing Outdoors:  Sow outdoors once soil has warmed to 4° C. For continuous harvest, sow every 2 to 3 weeks.
Seed Spacing: 1” and then thin to 2” apart.
Row Spacing: 12 - 18”.
Planting depth: 1/4”. Lightly press into the planting medium to ensure good soil contact. Water the seeds gently with a fine spray. Keep the soil evenly watered until the seedlings emerge.

Growing in Containers: Grows very well in larger containers and raised beds. If you have limited garden space, Spinach can be easily cultivated in a container/barrel.

Fertilizing (Containers): Add up to 25% quality compost to your potting mix. This plant loves a higher nitrogen fertilizer - diluted fish fertilizer is an excellent organic choice, applied weekly.

Watering (Containers): Water deeply when top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Check every day or two during very hot weather.

Growing in Mixed Planters: Well-suited for larger mixed planters. Think square foot gardening!

Fertilizing (Garden): Plant in a garden bed recently amended with quality compost. Feed weekly with a higher-nitrogen organic fertilizer.

Watering (Garden): Water deeply to establish. Water mature plants weekly during hot weather.

Notes: Spinach is extremely hardy and tolerant of cold weather, but it is not drought tolerant or heat tolerant - it will bolt in hot weather.

Harvesting: Harvest leaves at any stage from baby to full size. Once Spinach starts to bolt it loses its flavour.

Garden Companions:
Companion Plants: Corn, Onions and Tomatoes provide shade for Spinach. Strawberry, Celery, Cauliflower (and Brassicas), Eggplant, Leeks, Lettuce, Peas and Radish are all compatible neighbours.
Avoid: Planting Spinach near Potatoes.
Pest/Disease Issues: Plant radishes near your spinach as leaf-miners (a common problem on spinach) prefer radish leaves over spinach.

Suitability for Indoors: Not well-suited for indoors, as cool conditions are required.