Spinach can bolt to seed within days of a hot spell, so timing and watering matter more here than for almost any other leafy green.
Spinach grows fast but bolts just as fast once a hot spell or long summer days set in, so it rewards close attention to timing and watering more than most crops. Two separate sowings — one in spring, one in late summer — spread the harvest across the year while dodging the worst of the mid-summer bolting risk.
Sowing & growing calendar
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | Sow in February | Sow in March | Sow in April | Sow in August | Sow in September | |||||||
| Harvest | Harvest in April | Harvest in May | Harvest in June | Harvest in July | Harvest in August | Harvest in September | Harvest in October | Harvest in November |
Care details
- Sow February – April
Sow for a spring and early summer crop — the earliest sowings are the least likely to bolt.
- Harvest April – November
Pick outer leaves regularly and leave the centre growing, to keep the harvest going as long as possible.
- Sow August – September
Sow again for an autumn crop, before shortening days and cooler weather slow growth right down.
Growing tips & common problems
- Water deeply and regularly through any warm spell — dry heat is the single biggest trigger for bolting.
- Pick outer leaves and leave the centre growing, rather than cutting the whole plant at once.
- Choose a bolt-resistant variety for late-spring sowings, when day length is already working against you.
Grows well with
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