Spinach Growing Guide

Spinach Quick Start Checklist

1. Choose quality seedlings for convenience or for a more cost-effective solution, use seeds.
2. Plant in the right spot at the right time - spinach doesn’t do well in the heat of summer.
3. Prepare the soil well with organic matter like Tui Compost and Tui Organic Sheep Pellets. Plant into a vege friendly potting mix like Tui Vegetable Mix.
4. Feed regularly for vibrant leafy growth.  Use a nitrogen-rich fertiliser that best suits how you want to garden. For quick visible results try Tui Vege & Herb Liquid Superfood.
5. Mulch and protect: keep roots cool and moist with Tui Pea Straw and protect from slugs with Tui Quash for a healthy, lasting harvest.

Why choose Spinach?

Spinach is a nutrient-packed, fast-growing leafy green that’s easy to grow in garden beds or pots. It grows quickly but is short-lived - you can keep picking leaves often for a steady supply. There are many types of heat tolerant New Zealand spinach, each with different leaf shapes, textures, and sizes.

• ‘Oriental Imperial Green’: grows tall with upright leaves that mature quickly. Less likely to get garden soil on the leaves if that’s something that puts you off.
• ‘Winter Queen’: has large, dark green leaves and is a classic choice for cool-season growing.
• ‘Spinach Medley’: is a mix of five spinach varieties bred for smaller baby leaves.
• ‘Baby Leaf’: a great option if planting closer to summer as it grows quickly and can be ready to harvest in just 6–8 weeks.
• ‘Perpetual Spinach’: is more heat tolerant than other varieties and grows year-round. It has smaller leaves and thinner stems.
• ‘Pop Eye’: will also give you a year-round supply and is perfect for salads.
• 'Summer Supreme': survives better than other spinach types in warmer temperatures.

Whether you choose seedlings for ease or seeds for affordability, follow planting instructions on each packet or label. Refer to the Tui Planting Calendar for when to plant in your region.

Prepare the soil

• Spinach prefers full sun and soil rich in compost or organic matter like sheep pellets.
• Prepare your garden bed by mixing Tui Sheep Pellets and Tui Compost into your existing soil.
  

Get Planting

Growing from seed

• Seeds can be sown direct or into trays.
• Before planting work Tui Seed Raising Mix into soil, or use mix to prepare seed trays.
• Sow seeds 10mm deep and if planting direct space 10cm apart.
• Keep well-watered.
• Seedlings can be transplanted once they have two seeds of true leaves.

Planting seedlings

• It’s best to plant in the early morning or late afternoon, when the sun isn’t too intense, to avoid wilting.
• To reduce transplant shock, soak the seedlings in Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic and allow to drain.
• Select your planting spot and follow plant spacing directions on the pack, typically 10-15cm as they can be grown close together.
• If you’re planting in the garden add a layer of Tui Vegetable Mix; developed to give vege crops a strong start and includes a blend of fertilisers, sheep pellets, blood & bone and dolomite lime to support initial plant growth. 
• If you’re planting in pots and containers, fill with Tui Vegetable Mix.
• Dig a hole slightly bigger than the root ball, then place seedlings into the planting hole and fill around it.
• Water well and maintain regular watering.
• Protect the soil and roots with a layer of Tui Pea Straw Mulch to maintain constant soil moisture and add organic matter to the soil. If spinach dries out or gets stressed it can go to seed quickly.

Feed and Nourish

• Feed your plants and they will feed you. Plants use nutrients from the soil as they grow, so replenishing the nutrients ensures your plants grow to their full potential.
• Choose from a variety of different Tui fertiliser options, depending on what suits you and your garden:
  • Tui Vege & Herb Liquid Superfood is perfect for quick results as plants are able to absorb the nutrients immediately and is suitable for the garden as well as pots and containers. For best results feed weekly. 
  • Tui Vegetable Food is a granular option formulated specifically for veges planted in garden beds. It can be applied every four weeks and is not recommended for pots and containers.
  • Enrich Vege, Tomato & Herb Controlled Release Fertiliser lasts up to six months, making it perfect for gardeners who prefer a ‘feed and forget’ option. It’s also suitable for pots and containers.
  • Tui Performance Organics Tomato & Vegetable Fertiliser pellets are an organic option that can be used both in the garden and in pots and containers.   
• Keep soil free of weeds and protect roots with Tui Mulch & Feed as the weather cools. 
• Protect from slugs and snails by applying Tui Quash every few weeks. 

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant spinach?

• Spinach is not suitable for hot climates and will go to seed quickly. Plant only in winter in these areas.
• In warm areas, plant spinach from February to October. 
• In cooler areas, planting from March to September.
• For a continuous supply of fresh leaves, sow seeds every two weeks.

How long does it take for spinach to grow and be ready for harvest? 

• Spinach typically takes 8–10 weeks from planting to harvest when grown from seedlings.
• Growth speed depends on weather, watering, soil quality, time of year and care.
• Regular picking can also encourage new leaf growth.

What plants should I avoid growing near my spinach?

• Some plants don’t grow well with spinach and may compete or interfere with its growth. 
• Avoid planting spinach near:
  • Fennel, potatoes and squash.
  • Onions, as they need a lot of light to grow and spinach can shade them, reducing light exposure.
  • What grows well with spinach? Best companion plants.
  • Brassicas (kale, broccoli, etc) provide helpful shade.
  • Legumes (peas, beans, etc) enrich the soil with nitrogen.
• Lettuce and other leafy greens enjoy similar growing conditions.
• Root crops like radishes and carrots grow deeper and don’t compete for space.
• Flowers like marigolds and nasturtiums can help deter pests naturally.
• Aromatic herbs such as dill and coriander attract beneficial insects and repel pests.
• Strawberries, tomatoes, and eggplants offer dappled shade - great for spinach in warmer months.

Discover more advice and inspiration for growing your own veges at the Vege Hub >