Having trouble with spinach.

[George the Pigman]

Over the years I have never had much success with "real" spinach. The seed either doesn't germinate at all or when it does (either in pots or in the ground) it produces weedy plants that seem to bolt before they get any size.
To compensate I grow perpetual spinach which is really a relative of Swiss Chard rather than true spinach. It grows like a train and only bolts in its second year - which it should do as it is a biennial. But it never has quite the delicate flavour of those bags of spinach you see in the supermarkets.
Is there a trick of the trade to growing it?

[George the Pigman]

[Pescador]

I used to grow it commercially as Baby Leaf Spinach. Trick is to keep it growing quickly.
Now would be the ideal time to sow, with plenty more rain and mild temperatures for the rest of the month. At this time of year you should be looking at about 4 weeks sowing to harvest.
If it stays mild and wet, you may be lucky to get re-growth from the stubble and get a 2nd crop.
Hope this helps!

[johhnyco15]

yes indeed i agree with pescador later sowings of spinach always do better than earlier ones it loves warm wet days with reducing light levels it does not bolt so easy hope this helps

[ancellsfarmer]

MySuttons Amazon bolted (last week) and its only 2" tall !

[Borlotti]

Think slugs like it,