Last Year's Spinach
Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 6:17 pm
The spinach we planted last year has just started growing again. Do you recommend growing it for a second year or will I be better off composting it and growing fresh from seed?
Hello Mel
Last year's spinach will soon run to seed now. You will perhaps get a few pickings but I would sow again. I'm afraid that early sowings are also likely to bolt as the plants get bigger and the weather improves. Spinach is a cool weather plant. You can delay this process a bit by feeding well with a high N fertilizer and taking leaves off, even if you don't need them, as the plants get larger. Another sowing later in the year as the days begin to shorten will extend the crop into the Autumn.
John
PS Also look for varieties described as 'slow to bolt' and 'long standing'.