Topic: spinach gone to seed

[Beer_Belly]

I planted "Amterdam giant" spinach but most of it (not all) has produced about 6 small leaves only and then gone to seed. Anyone know what I've done wrong ?

cheers,
       -B_B-

[tim]

Don't know 'the Giant', BB, but that's why we always grow chard - it doesn't - till next year! = Tim

[Mrs Ava]

My perpetual spinach has all bolted also BB, and so has one of my bright light chards!  I blame the lack of rain.  I have tried both sowing direct and transplanting and both sorts have bolted.  Now on my 3rd sowing.  :-\

[tim]

Emma - your this year's sowing of BL has bolted??
Ours is only 10" high. Though pickable. = Tim

[busy_lizzie]

The same thing happened to us last year and no sooner than our spinach was up than it flowered and went to seed.  The consenus then seemed to be that it was because of the very dry summer. So this year we have grown a perpetual spinach and kept it well watered.  Don't know if that worked but it seems to be doing good so far.  :) busy_lizzie

[derbex]

Tim our spring sown chard (bright lights) is now 3-4 ft high. Time to sow some more I think. Or maybe cut it right back?

Jeremy

[adamhill100]

My perpetual spinach is the first thing I have actually eaten that I have grown this year on my allot.... Seems to be doing really well but have made sure I watered every night unless it rains of course...I ended up making a spinach curry at the weekend which was great!!  

[Mrs Ava]

Yup Tim, spring sown, courtesy of Stephan.  ;D  Only one plant bolted but all of my spinach has gone.  :'(  The problem on our plot is the severe lack of water, so the plan is, loads and loads and loads of compost over the autmn and winter to try and help the moisture content of the ground and Ava has a watering system planned  :o :)

[tim]

Research is needed?
We are VERY fast draining, the soil is powder dry, even after the rain we've had, & we're having to trowel our carrots out of the ground, but our Bright Lights & Swiss Chard happily go the year in good shape. We're just cutting out last year's, while using the April sown BL. = Tim

[cleo]

Spinach is a so and so-it only needs the slightest check and it`s history. My last tactic is for the next sowing-I will buy a pipe and sing `I`m Popeye the sailor man`whilst sowing ;D

Stephan

[ina]

Don't know 'the Giant', BB, but that's why we always grow chard - it doesn't - till next year! = Tim

Me too. Spinach is just too hard to grow and too unreliable. Swiss chard is a good alternative. I like the luculus (spelling?), a light green type with white ribs. Tried perpetual spinach last year but didn't like it.

[Beer_Belly]

Ah-ha ! thanks for all the replies - I'll have another go but this time use lots of water.

-B_B-

[Lady Cosmos]

Hi B-B, I am growing spinach for 22 years now and I think three things are important to get a good crop. I prepare the ground by digging in a lot of manure. I put the seeds in a shady place between other veg , that stops the spinach to seed and I water every dag, about 20 ltr/sq.m a week. I saw every 2 or 3 weeks a few rows and till now I harvested 6 times. I pick only the largest leaves and let the rest grow. My soil is very sandy, may be that is the trick ;D ;D ;D, but I have lots and lots to come :D :D  

[ina]

Aha, that might be two reasons for my lack of success with spinach. I can't make it to the allotment every day to water and the soil is rather heavy. Never mind, I'm happy with swiss chard.

[bluedaisy]

my spinach going well for my first year in lottie. I will put some more chinese leaves as mine bolting  :(
Secret probably watering and soil (bits loamy). I added lots compost beforehand.

[john_miller]

Due to the extreme heat that can develop so rapidly here great emphasis is laid on varieties that have been bred to withstand it. I have grown spinach for over 20 years too and have used nothing but 'Melody' without any problems for a spring crop (and, incidentally, it will also withstand our extreme winters when autumn sown). It cannot withstand the summers here however. You may want to change your choice of variety to see if another one gives you better results.

[mysticmog]

I have managed to grow happy and bouncy spinach and more bright lights chard than you can shake a stick at - guess I was lucky, but most of my lettuce has bolted....