SpinachSpinacia oleracea

Spinach

Spinaches

1. Chenopodium oleraceum (L.) E.H.L.Krause
2. Spinacia glabra
3. Spinacia inermis
4. Spinacia spinosa
5. Spinacia domestica
6. Spinacia sessiliflora

1. spinach plant
2. spinach

1. English spinach
2. garden spinach

1. Spinacia oleracea
2. spinach
3. spinach plant

1. Tracheophyta
2. Angiosperms
3. Eudicots
4. Core eudicots
5. Caryophyllales

Amaranth family

1. Beta vulgaris
2. Chenopodium quinoa
3. Amaranthus spp.
4. Atriplex hortensis

1. leaves
2. young shoots

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a fast-growing, annual leafy vegetable from the amaranth family. It originates from Southwest Asia and has been valued for centuries as a nutrient-rich leaf vegetable.

Sow outdoors from February/March to October. Row spacing 20–30 cm, thin to 8 cm within the row. Prefers sunny to partially shady positions and humus-rich, evenly moist soil.

Harvest leaves when 8–10 cm long. Pick individually from the outside in, or cut the whole plant just above soil level. Harvest before flowering, otherwise leaves become bitter.

1. Taskprepare_beds

   Label

   Bed preparation

   Prioritylow

   Months

   1. 1

   Estimated effort30 min

   Notes

   Clear snow and incorporate compost if soil is not frozen.

1. Tasksow_outdoor_early

   Label

   Early outdoor sowing

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 2

   Estimated effort30 min

   Notes

   Sow from about mid-February when soil is frost-free.

1. Tasksow_outdoor_main

   Label

   Main outdoor sowing

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 3

   Estimated effort30 min

   Notes

   From March, resow every 2–3 weeks for continuous harvest.

1. Taskharvest_begin

   Label

   Begin harvest

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 4

   Estimated effort20 min

   Notes

   Harvest leaves when 8–10 cm long.

1. Taskharvest_continue

   Label

   Continue harvesting

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 5

   Estimated effort20 min

   Notes

   Water during dry spells to delay bolting.

1. Taskharvest_and_monitor

   Label

   Harvest and pest monitoring

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 6

   Estimated effort20 min

   Notes

   Watch for aphids and leaf miners.

1. Taskharvest_shade

   Label

   Harvest and provide shade if hot

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 7

   ConditionTemperatur über 25°C

   Estimated effort30 min

   Notes

   During heatwaves harvest in morning and protect bed with fleece or shade netting.

1. Tasksow_autumn

   Label

   Sow for autumn and winter harvest

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 8

   Estimated effort30 min

   Notes

   Sow in August for autumn harvest; choose winter-hardy varieties.

1. Tasksow_and_harvest

   Label

   Resow and harvest

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 9

   Estimated effort30 min

   Notes

   Further sowing possible to extend harvest into autumn.

1. Tasklast_sow_and_protect

   Label

   Last sowing and frost protection

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 10

   ConditionFrostgefahr

   Estimated effort30 min

   Notes

   Last sowing in October; cover with fleece or brush when frost threatens.

1. Taskharvest_mild

   Label

   Harvest in mild weather

   Prioritylow

   Months

   1. 11

   ConditionBoden nicht gefroren

   Estimated effort15 min

   Notes

   Continue harvesting when frost-free.

1. Taskharvest_mild_winter

   Label

   Harvest in mild winters

   Prioritylow

   Months

   1. 12

   ConditionMilde Witterung ohne Dauerfrost

   Estimated effort15 min

   Notes

   Leaves can be harvested in mild winters.

For a continuous supply from spring to autumn, sow a new row every 2–3 weeks. Sow autumn varieties for winter harvest from August.

Spinach should not be grown after other Chenopodiaceae (e.g. Swiss chard, beetroot). Good preceding crops are cabbage, potatoes or legumes.

Early spinach crops can serve as a preceding crop for heavy feeders like tomatoes or squash.

1. Sucking insects (aphids, thrips)
2. Leaf miners
3. Slugs and snails

1. Downy mildew
2. Root rot
3. Leaf spot diseases

1. Choose resistant varieties
2. Follow crop rotation
3. Avoid waterlogging
4. Ensure good air circulation with adequate spacing

Examine leaf undersides for pests and fungal growth. Compare symptoms with the described damage patterns.

1. Slugfalscher-mehltau

   Severityhigh

   Conditions

   1. Cool temperatures (10–18°C)
   2. High humidity
   3. Leaf wetness
   4. Dense planting

   Affected parts

   1. Leaves

   Prevention

   1. Resistant varieties (e.g. 'Viroflay', 'Resistoflay')
   2. Wide spacing
   3. Watering at ground level

   Organic control

   1. Preventive spraying of horsetail tea
   2. Baking soda solution
2. Slugwurzelfaeule

   Severitymedium

   Conditions

   1. Waterlogging
   2. Heavy, compacted soils
   3. Low soil temperatures

   Affected parts

   1. Roots
   2. Stem base

   Prevention

   1. Good drainage
   2. Bed preparation with compost
   3. Crop rotation

   Organic control

   1. Mycorrhizal products
   2. Compost tea

1. Symptom

   Yellow spots on the upper leaf surface, greyish growth on the underside

   Possible causes

   1. Falscher Mehltau (Peronospora farinosa f. sp. spinaciae)

   First checks

   1. Examine leaf underside with a magnifying glass
   2. Check moisture conditions
   3. Check variety for resistance
2. Symptom

   Wilting despite moist soil

   Possible causes

   1. Wurzelfäule (Pythium, Fusarium)

   First checks

   1. Dig up roots and check for rot
   2. Examine soil for waterlogging
3. Symptom

   Distorted, curled leaves

   Possible causes

   1. Blattlausbefall

   First checks

   1. Search leaf undersides for aphids
   2. Check if ants are present

1. Symptom

   Leaves turn yellow

   Possible causes

   1. Nitrogen deficiency
   2. Waterlogging
   3. Root rot
   4. Aphid infestation

   Action

   Check soil moisture, adjust fertilisation, monitor for pests

2. Symptom

   Leaves have holes

   Possible causes

   1. Slug/snail damage
   2. Leaf miners
   3. Caterpillars

   Action

   Hand pick slugs, remove leaf miner tunnels, manually remove caterpillars

3. Symptom

   Plant bolts (flower stalk appears)

   Possible causes

   1. Heat (above 25°C)
   2. Long days
   3. Drought stress

   Action

   Harvest immediately, choose heat-tolerant varieties, provide shade during heatwaves

If unsure, compare symptoms with the detailed descriptions under pests and diseases.

1. Germination
2. Leaf development
3. Bolting (flowering)
4. Seed ripening

Spinach is an annual plant. Under long days and heat above 25°C it bolts quickly into flower.

Inconspicuous greenish flowers in dense spikes

June to September (when bolted)

Dioecious, male and female flowers on separate plants

Every 1–2 weeks, depending on growth rate and variety.

1. Leaves 8–10 cm long
2. Vigorous green colour
3. Before bolting

Store spinach immediately after harvest in a cool, dark place; remove wilted or damaged leaves before storing. Do not wash before storage.

Short-term storage in refrigerator; freezing for longer preservation.

Fridge: 2–5 days; freezer: up to 12 months.

1. Blanch and freeze
2. Drying (rare)
3. Canning (not recommended)

Mild, slightly sweet, after cooking slightly earthy.

Wash spinach thoroughly before use; remove thick stalks. Blanching reduces oxalic acid content.

1. Spinach with potatoes and fried egg
2. Spinach quiche
3. Leaf spinach salad with garlic
4. Spinach curry
5. Smoothies

1. Leaves
2. young shoots

1. Roots (inedible)
2. Flower stalks and seeds (inedible)

Raw spinach contains oxalic acid, which can be harmful in very high consumption (several kg raw daily). Blanching reduces oxalic acid. Individuals with kidney stones should eat spinach only cooked.

Yes, young leaves in moderation; caution for those with kidney conditions.

To maintain genetic diversity, grow at least 20 plants (male and female).

Wind pollination requires large isolation distances (500 m to 1 km) or growing only one variety.

Biennial: the plants overwinter in the bed (protected from frost) and flower in the second year.

Spinach is an annual leafy vegetable, not a woody crop. This schema is not applicable.

Spinach provides little direct benefit to pollinators, but can contribute to soil improvement as green manure.

Sow spinach directly outdoors. No pre-culture required. Resow every 2–3 weeks for continuous harvest.

Heat and drought promote bolting. Provide shade and water adequately in midsummer.

Humus-rich, loose soil with good water-holding capacity is ideal.

Early sowing from February. Prepare the bed and watch for frost-free conditions.

Avoid heat and drought. Shading and regular watering are important.

Sow for autumn harvest. Choose winter-hardy varieties.

Harvest possible in mild weather. Cover during hard frost.