Growing Spinach

by Frances
(Wadebridge UK)

I used excellent home-produced compost for my spinach plants, but they grew and bolted like Triffords!

It was during recent hot/drought weather. But the yield was just like growing weeds, and nothing like ordinary growth, in fact a waste of time and effort.

Can you advise please for next try, and when would that planting time be best?

ANSWER:

Spinach is a cool weather crop, as are lettuce, broccoli, peas, and some others.

During hot weather, these vegetables tend to grow very quickly, and "bolt" which means they produce a seed head or flower at the top of the plant.

It is best to plant these "cool weather" vegetables in the spring, so that they have time to mature before the weather becomes hot.