Vegetable (leafy annual)
Spinach
Spinacia oleracea
A cold-hardy leafy green that bolts fast in heat and long daylight, making early spring and autumn sowings far more productive than a summer attempt.
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
|---|---|
| Water | Consistent, moderate |
| Spacing | 8-15 cm |
| Zones | Cool-season, all zones |
| Harvest | 40-50 days, or baby leaves from 25 days |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Daylength triggers bolting, not just heat
Spinach bolts in response to long summer days as much as temperature, so even a mild summer will push it to flower. Sow in early spring and again six to eight weeks before first frost for the best two harvest windows.
Cold actually improves flavour
A light frost sweetens spinach leaves by converting stored starches to sugars, which is why autumn- and winter-grown spinach often tastes better than a spring crop.