How to grow Spinach in Australia
Grow in full sun to part shade in rich, moist, well drained soil. Keep watering steady and consistent, as heat and dry roots trigger fast bolting.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Sun: Part shade
- Water: 4 litres a week, watered every 2 days
- Spacing: 20 cm
- Time to harvest: 55 days
- Time to germinate: 10 days
- Soil pH: 6.5 to 7.5
- Frost tolerance: Frost hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | April to July | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | April to July | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | April to July | Heat-sensitive; winter-only crop; April to July optimal for cool-season harvest. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | March to August | Narrow SEQ window extended: sow Mar to Aug in Melbourne for continuous winter harvest. |
| Adelaide & SA | March to September | Mediterranean: avoid sowing Nov to Feb. Spinach bolts above 20°C. Thrive Mar to Sept. |
| Perth & WA | March to September | Mediterranean: avoid sowing Nov to Feb. Spinach bolts above 20°C. Thrive Mar to Sept. |
| Tasmania | February to May, August to October | Sow Feb to May for autumn-winter and Aug to Oct for spring. Tasmania grows outstanding spinach. Skip midsummer. |
| Canberra & ACT | March and April, August to October | Sow Mar to Apr for autumn or Aug to Oct for spring. Midwinter soil is too cold for germination. |
| North Queensland | May to August | Dry season only. Requires cool temperatures; sow May to Aug. Needs shade cloth. |
| Darwin & Top End | May to August | Dry season only. Requires cool temperatures; sow May to Aug. Needs shade cloth. |
Varieties
- Bloomsdale Long Standing
- English Spinach (Winter Giant)
Companion planting
Good companions
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Pick outer leaves once they are big enough to use, before the plant runs to seed. Snap or cut leaves from the outside and the centre keeps producing.
Storage
Fridge in a sealed bag, 3 to 4 days. Blanch and freeze well.