Spinach Growing Guide

5 Steps to Spinach Success

• Choose a sunny spot for successful spinach.
• Prepare your soil well with organic matter like compost and sheep pellets.
• Add a layer of vegetable mix to plant into. Spinach can be grown year-round in most parts of New Zealand.
• Feed every four weeks during key growth periods with vegetable food for plenty of leafy green growth.
• Keep your spinach well watered and pick regularly to encourage continued growth. 

Follow our full guide below for a bumper crop of homegrown spinach.

Spinach is a powerhouse of vegetable packed with nutrients and vitamins. It’s a fast-growing but short-lived crop that is very easy to grow and is equally happy in the garden or container.

Prepare

Spinach enjoys full sun and a soil that is rich in compost or other organic matter like sheep pellets. Spinach thrives in tubs and containers, and the smaller varieties are even suitable for hanging baskets.

Happy grown year-round in many parts of New Zealand, refer to our Planting Calendar to find out when to plant spinach in your region.

Popular spinach varieties include: Perpetual, Popeye, Bloomsdale, Malabar, Red Stem and Baby Leaf. 

Shop Tui Spinach Seed - Hybrid No7 F1 for a disease resistant variety that produces large leaves and prefers the cooler weather.

Plant

Like building a house, a good foundation is the key to success in your garden. The better the soil, the better your plants will grow. If you are starting with an existing garden bed dig in organic matter like Tui Sheep Pellets and Tui Compost to your soil. Then you can add a layer of Tui Vegetable Mix. If planting in pots and containers, fill with Tui Vegetable Mix.

The best times to plant are early in the morning or late in the day, so the plants aren’t exposed to the hot sun straight away. Always water plants well before and after planting.

Planting in garden beds

• Water plants thoroughly before planting and allow to drain.
• Dig a hole, approximately twice the depth and width of the root ball of your plant.
• Partly fill the hole with Tui Vegetable Mix.
• Gently loosen the root ball of your plant and position the plant in the centre of the hole.
• Fill in with Tui Vegetable Mix.
• Press soil gently around the base of the plant.
• Water your plant well.

Planting in pots and containers

• Water plants thoroughly before potting and allow to drain.
• Partly fill your container with Tui Vegetable Mix.
• Gently loosen the root ball of your plant and position the plant in the container.
• Fill your container with Tui Vegetable Mix up to 3cm from the top.
• Tap the container gently on the ground to settle the mix.
• Press soil gently around the base of the plant.
• Water your plant well.

Protect your plants from the elements with layers of Tui Pea Straw Mulch, to help keep their roots moist and keep your garden weed free.

Nourish

Feed your plants and they will feed you. Plants use nutrients from the soil as they grow, so replenishing the nutrients ensures your spinach grows to its full potential. Select a fertiliser specially blended for your crop like Tui Vegetable Food.

Feed spinach planted in pots and containers with Tui NovaTec Premium fertiliser. Well watered, well nourished spinach will have a better chance of keeping insect pests and diseases at bay.

Regularly apply an application of Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic to give them a welcome boost.

Spinach can be harvested a leaf at a time - so you can pick as you need. This will also encourage fresh new growth.

Be vigilant and stop unwanted insects and diseases from ruining your plants. Slugs and snails can be an issue - lay Tui Quash slug and snail control around young plants.