Choose the season and sow little and often
Spinach is a fast-growing leafy crop that prefers cool conditions. Sow in spring for early leaves and again in late summer for autumn and winter picking. Summer sowings can bolt quickly during heat and long days, so choose a suitable variety, provide light shade and keep the soil moist.
Direct sow into workable soil, about 2 cm deep, or use modules if slugs or birds are a problem. Space plants around 10–15 cm apart for baby leaves and 20–30 cm for larger plants. Make small repeat sowings rather than one large row so you have fresh leaves over a longer period.
Prepare soil and keep it evenly moist
Choose sun or light shade and soil that is fertile, moisture-retentive and free-draining. Incorporate mature compost before sowing if the ground is poor. Keep seedlings weed-free, because they are easily shaded by faster weeds. Water at the base during dry weather, particularly as leaves expand.
A mulch over moist soil can reduce drying in summer. Avoid excessive feeding, especially high nitrogen, and follow any fertiliser label. In containers, use a deep pot with drainage and check moisture more frequently; small containers can dry before you notice leaf stress.
Reduce bolting and protect winter crops
Bolting is flowering and seed formation. Heat, dry soil and long daylight can trigger it. Sow heat-tolerant varieties for summer, use light shade and keep water steady. Once a plant sends up a flower stem, leaves become tougher; harvest the best leaves promptly and sow a fresh batch in a cooler window.
Hardy varieties can crop through autumn and winter in many UK areas. Use fleece or a cloche in exposed sites and ventilate protection on mild days. Remove old leaves and keep air moving to reduce downy mildew. Leaf miners may create pale tunnels; remove affected leaves and use fine mesh where appropriate.
Harvest for repeated pickings
Start picking outer leaves when they are large enough to use, leaving the crown intact for regrowth. Harvest regularly but do not remove every leaf at once. If you need a whole crop, cut the plant above the base while it is still tender.
Spinach wilts quickly after picking. Use it fresh or chill promptly in a breathable container and wash just before cooking. If freezing, follow a reliable crop-specific blanching method. Remove bolted or diseased plants and clear debris before preparing the bed for the next sowing.