Growing spinach seeds in the UK is a rewarding process that can provide you with fresh, nutritious leaves for salads and cooking. Here’s a guide on how to do it successfully:
1. Choosing the Right Time to Sow:
- Spring Sowing (for summer harvest): Sow from mid-March to late May. Avoid sowing too early in cold conditions as this can lead to premature flowering (bolting). You can start seeds indoors in late February or early March for an earlier crop, transplanting seedlings outdoors once the risk of hard frost has passed.
- Late Summer/Autumn Sowing (for autumn/winter/early spring harvest): Sow hardy varieties from late August to early October. This allows the plants to establish before winter and provides a harvest during the cooler months and into the following spring. Avoid sowing too late as they need time to establish.
2. Selecting a Suitable Location:
- Spinach thrives in fertile, moisture-retentive soil that doesn’t dry out.
- Choose a spot that receives full sun during the cooler months. In warmer weather (late spring/summer), light shade can help prevent bolting.
- Spinach can also be grown successfully in containers at least 15-20cm (6-8 inches) deep.
3. Preparing the Soil:
- Clear the area of weeds and large stones.
- Dig in plenty of well-rotted organic matter such as compost or manure to improve soil fertility and drainage.
- Rake the soil to a fine tilth.
- For containers, use a good quality multi-purpose compost.
4. Sowing the Seeds:
- Direct Sowing (Outdoors):
- Make drills (shallow rows) about 1.5-2.5cm (½-1 inch) deep and 20-30cm (8-12 inches) apart.
- Sow seeds thinly along the drills, about 2.5-5cm (1-2 inches) apart.
- Cover the seeds with soil and gently water.
- Once seedlings emerge, thin them out to about 10-15cm (4-6 inches) apart to give them space to grow.
- Sowing Indoors (for transplanting):
- Sow seeds about 1cm (½ inch) deep in seed trays or small pots filled with seed compost.
- Keep the compost moist and place in a cool, bright location (10-20°C/50-70°F is ideal for germination).
- Once seedlings have two true leaves, transplant them into individual pots or modules to grow on.
- Harden off seedlings gradually before planting them outdoors, usually after 4-6 weeks.
5. Watering:
- Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry periods.
- Water regularly, particularly seedlings and plants in containers, as they can dry out quickly.
- Water in the morning to allow leaves to dry out during the day, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.
6. Weeding:
- Keep the growing area free of weeds to prevent competition for water, nutrients, and light.
7. Protecting from Pests:
- Spinach is susceptible to slugs and snails, especially in damp conditions. Use appropriate control methods like barriers, traps, or organic slug pellets.
- Birds can also sometimes be a problem with young seedlings; netting can provide protection.
8. Preventing Bolting:
- Bolting (premature flowering) is often triggered by hot, dry conditions or long days.
- Choose bolt-resistant varieties for summer sowings.
- Provide shade during the hottest part of the day in summer.
- Ensure consistent watering.
- Harvest leaves regularly to encourage continued leaf production.
9. Harvesting:
- Spinach is a cut-and-come-again crop. You can start harvesting individual leaves as soon as they are large enough to eat, usually about 6-8 weeks after sowing.
- Take outer leaves first, allowing the inner leaves to continue growing.
- Harvest regularly to encourage more production and delay bolting.
Recommended Spinach Varieties for the UK:
Consider these varieties known to perform well in the UK climate:
- ‘Giant Winter’: A hardy variety suitable for autumn sowing and winter harvesting.
- ‘Medania’: A reliable, high-yielding variety with good bolt resistance.
- ‘Matador’: An RHS Award of Garden Merit variety suitable for spring and autumn sowing.
- ‘Amazon F1’: A fast-growing F1 hybrid with good mildew and bolt resistance.
- ‘Reddy’: A bolt-resistant variety suitable for year-round sowing.
- ‘Perpetual Spinach’ (actually a type of leaf beet): Very hardy and produces leaves over a long period; less prone to bolting than true spinach.
By following these steps, you can successfully grow delicious and nutritious spinach in your UK garden! Remember to check your specific seed packet for any unique instructions.