When to plant Spinach in the UK

Spinacia oleracea

Spinach
Spinach · Spinacia oleracea

Spinach is a fast-growing leafy crop for cool UK weather. Sow in short runs through spring and late summer, keep the soil moist, and pick leaves regularly before plants run to seed in warm spells.

30 cm · Full Sun · High Water

Add to garden
Sow outdoors March to September, harvest April to October.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow outdoorsNoNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoNo

UK averages · set your town for dates worked out from your local frost records · how dates are worked out

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Dates for your town

Set your town to see planting windows worked out from local frost history, not a generic UK calendar.

  1. 01

    Sow Small Batches

    late March to early September UK average · set your town for your exact dates Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    Sow a short row from late March to early September. Sow another small batch every 14 days. Sow thinly about deep, in rows about apart. Keep the soil lightly moist until it germinates. In warm weather give the row a little light shade.

    • Fleece or a cloche helps if the soil is still cold.

  2. 02

    Thin Seedlings

    early April to early October UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    After each sowing, once seedlings are large enough to handle, thin to apart. Use scissors if the roots are tangled. Water the row after thinning.

  3. 03

    Check for Slugs

    early April to late October UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    From early April, watch young plants for slugs, snails, and birds. Hand-pick slugs or use a barrier. They can strip a row in one night, especially in damp weather.

    • If the bed is overcrowded or stays humid, watch for downy mildew on the leaves. Thin so air can move through.

  4. 04

    Keep Well Watered

    early April to late October UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    From early April through late October, keep the soil evenly moist so the plants stay tender and do not bolt. Water at the base in dry spells. In warm weather a little light shade helps. Give pots extra water; they dry out fast.

  5. 05

    Harvest Leaves

    late April to late October UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Start picking from late April and keep going until late October. Take outer leaves, or cut just above the crown for one larger crop.

    • A cloche can keep plants picking later.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Spinach to consider

Toscane

A popular savoy-leaved spinach with dark, crinkled leaves and good flavour for repeated picking.

Apollo

A hardy, bolt-resistant variety suited to cool-weather sowing and useful for early and late crops.

Andromeda

A smooth-leaved spinach with a steady habit and useful field performance for home gardens.