beet family

Spinach

Spinacia oleracea · Easy

A quick cool-season leaf crop for spring and autumn, with repeat pickings from small sowings.

Sow

Sow in spring and again from August into early autumn.

Usually direct sown; modules can fill a newly cleared bed quickly.

Spring to early summer and again in autumn or winter under protection.

Practical growing notes

Fast leaves and a strong fit after summer crops.

Heat and drought trigger bolting; use a suitable winter variety for late sowing.

Keep the bed moving

A succession-friendly salad crop, especially useful as loose-leaf or cut-and-come-again types.

One of the fastest food crops, ideal for gaps and repeated small sowings.

A compact peppery leaf crop that can be harvested repeatedly and grows well in containers.

A low-maintenance overwintering crop planted as named, disease-free cloves.