Spinach should be ready to harvest this month — check for size and colour.
Growing Calendar
This month: May
Log to journalReady to harvest now
- •Check size and ripeness
- •Harvest regularly
- •Store or use fresh
Watch Out For
Bolts rapidly in heat
choose bolt-resistant varieties for summer sowings and provide light shade during the hottest part of the day
Slugs will devastate young seedlings overnight
protect with copper tape or grit and check plants regularly during wet weather
Downy mildew in wet or overcrowded conditions
improve spacing, choose resistant varieties and avoid overhead watering
Grown Organically
Every method in this guide works with natural systems — no synthetic chemicals, no shortcuts.
Read our approachCommon Questions
About growing Spinach in the UK
When should I sow spinach in the UK?
Sow spinach from March to May for a summer harvest, or August to September for winter and spring pickings. Avoid sowing in high summer — spinach bolts rapidly in heat and long days.
Why does my spinach bolt so quickly?
Spinach is a cool-season crop that bolts (runs to seed) when temperatures exceed 25°C or day length increases past about 14 hours. Grow bolt-resistant varieties in summer, use shade cloth, and water consistently.
Can spinach grow in pots?
Yes — spinach grows well in containers at least 15–20cm deep. Use a rich, moisture-retentive compost. Sow densely and harvest as cut-and-come-again baby leaves for maximum yield from a small space.
How do I get continuous spinach harvests?
Sow in small batches every 2–3 weeks from March to May, then again in August. Harvest outer leaves regularly to delay bolting. Pairing spring and autumn sowings gives two productive seasons without the mid-summer gap.
Member guides
There's more to growing Spinach than this guide covers.
Seasonal reminders, deeper guides, and the small adjustments that change a harvest.
