What it needs & gives back
↓ Needs
Lightfull sun to partial shade
Waterconsistent moisture
↑ Gives back
Mulch_biomassedible leaves
Companions
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Tomato
Spinach can grow in the partial shade of taller tomatoes, benefiting from cooler soil.
Common bean
Beans provide nitrogen, which spinach benefits from, and spinach provides ground cover.
Cabbage
Spinach can be a good companion for brassicas, helping to suppress weeds and keep the soil cool.
Celery celeriac
Spinach benefits from the shade provided by taller celery plants.
Garden Strawberry
Spinach is a good companion, sharing similar soil needs.
Wild alpine strawberry
Spinach is a good companion, providing ground cover and not competing for nutrients.
Through the year
Through the year
JFMAMJJASOND
emergenceSpinach seeds germinate and emerge when soil temperatures are consistently above 5°C.
floweringSpinach bolts and flowers in response to lengthening days, typically in late spring or early summer.
harvestSpinach leaves are ready for harvest approximately 30-60 days after emergence, before bolting.
senescencePlants senesce and die back after flowering and seed set, accelerated by warm temperatures.
Soil interactions
Drainagewell-drained
Nitrogen fixingNo
MycorrhizalNo
Accumulatesiron, calcium, magnesium, potassium
Soil textureloam, sandy_loam
Organic matterMedium
Compaction toleranceLow
Propagation
Methodsseed
Difficulty1 / 5
Establishes in~0 yr
Self-seedingModerate
Wildlife & pests
Can host pestsleaf miners, aphids, flea beetles, spider mites
Can host diseasesdowny mildew, fusarium wilt, white rust