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Holly's Homestead — Leafy Green

Spinach

Spinacia oleracea · Amaranth family
DIFFICULTY Easy
TYPE Annual, cool season, direct sown
MATURITY 40–50 days
Sun
Full–part sun
Water
Consistent
Soil pH
6.5–7.5
Spacing
10–15cm
Depth
1–2cm

01Cool-season quick crop

True spinach bolts fast once days lengthen and warm up. Grow it through the cooler months, and switch to a heat-tolerant substitute like English spinach or silverbeet in summer.

02Planting

Method
Direct sow; thin as seedlings crowd.
Soil
Rich, moisture-retentive, high organic matter.
Timing
Sow through autumn, winter, and early spring.

03Growing care

  • Thin to final spacing early.
  • Keep soil consistently moist.
  • Harvest outer leaves regularly to prolong the crop.
  • Pull at the first sign of bolting — leaves turn bitter.

04Problems

  • Bolting — warmth and long days; grow in the cool season only.
  • Leaf miner — pale tunnels in leaves; remove affected leaves.
  • Downy mildew — humid weather; improve airflow.
  • Slow growth — nutrient-poor soil; feed regularly.

05Harvest & storage

Signs
Leaves reach usable size, before any sign of a flower stalk forming.
Method
Cut outer leaves or the whole plant at the base.
Curing
None needed.
Storage
Fridge crisper, a few days.

06Companions & rotation

Plant nearby
StrawberryBrassicasPeas
Avoid nearby
Potato
Rotation note
Fast crop; rotate loosely with other families.