Why does my spinach bolt?

Spinach is a cool season crop that will flower and turn bitter when days get long and temperatures rise.

Can I grow spinach in summer?

It is very difficult to grow in peak summer heat, so stick to spring and autumn plantings.

Guide botanique

Spinach.

Spinacia oleracea

Prononciation spi-NAY-see-uh oh-ler-AY-see-uh

Aussi appelée Spinach, Spinach [plant]

Spinach is a cool weather leafy green that loves the crisp air of spring and fall. It grows quickly and provides a bounty of nutritious leaves for your kitchen. You will find it is quite simple to grow as long as you keep it cool.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien: Facile
Type de plante: Annual vegetable
Lumière: Full sun to partial shade
Lumière en intérieur: Soleil direct
Arrosage: Tous les 2 à 4 jours
Taille adulte: 1 foot
Croissance: Rapide
Rusticité: USDA 2 à 9
Floraison: Late spring to early summer

Entretien

Keep the soil consistently moist to prevent the plant from bolting prematurely. Watch for yellowing leaves which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies. Harvest outer leaves first to encourage the plant to keep producing.

Arrosage: Keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy.
Engrais: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer to support leafy growth.
Taille: Regularly harvest outer leaves to promote continuous production.
Rempotage: Spinach is an annual crop and is typically grown directly in the garden or containers for a single season.
Sol: Rich, well draining, loamy soil
pH du sol: 6.5 to 7.5
Température: -5 à 25°C
Humidité: 40 à 70%
Résistance à la sécheresse: Faible
Durée de vie: Annual
Résistance aux chevreuils et lapins: Faible

Signes qu'il faut rempoter

Roots circling the bottom of the container.
Stunted growth despite regular feeding.

Sécurité

Humains: The plant is non toxic, though raw leaves contain oxalates that can interfere with calcium absorption.
Enfants: There are no specific safety concerns for children, though the leaves should be washed thoroughly to remove soil.
Allergènes de contact: Contact with fresh leaves may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Allergènes aéroportés: The pollen can be a significant allergen for those sensitive to Chenopodiaceae pollen.
Comestibilité: Spinach contains high levels of oxalates, which may be problematic for individuals prone to kidney stones if consumed in excessive quantities.

Comment l'identifier

Dark green succulent leaves
Leaves arranged in a rosette
Arrow shaped or rounded foliage
Small inconspicuous flower clusters

Hauteur: 0,2 à 0,3m
Envergure: 0,2 à 0,3m
Feuilles: dark green, deciduous
Fleurs: green, yellow, 0,5 à 1cm
Fruits: brown, Summer

Problèmes courants

Downy mildew — Yellow spots appear on leaves with fuzzy gray growth underneath.
Leaf miners — Larvae create winding tunnels inside the leaf tissue.

La cultiver

Multiplication: seed
Quand planter: early spring, late summer, early autumn
Hivernage: In mild climates, spinach can survive the winter with a light mulch or row cover. In colder regions, it is best to harvest before the ground freezes.
En pot: Spinach grows very well in containers at least 15 cm deep due to its shallow root system.

Direct Sowing

Prepare soil with compost.
Sow seeds 1 cm deep.
Space seeds 5 cm apart.
Keep soil consistently moist until germination.

Plant spinach in the shade of taller crops like tomatoes to extend the harvest season into warmer weather.

Bonnes associations

Radish — Radishes grow quickly and help mark rows for slower growing spinach.
Garden Strawberry — Spinach acts as a living mulch to keep the soil cool around strawberry roots.
Oignon — Onions have a shallow root system that does not compete with spinach.

À éloigner de

Potato — Potatoes can compete for soil nutrients and space in small garden beds.

Espèces similaires

Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris — It is a heat tolerant relative that provides similar culinary uses.
Tetragonia tetragonioides — This is a great summer alternative that thrives in heat where true spinach fails.

Science

Famille: Amaranthaceae
Genre: Spinacia
Ordre: Caryophyllales
Classe: Magnoliopsida
Région d'origine: Central and Western Asia
Préservation: This species is widely cultivated and not of conservation concern.

It thrives in cool, moist conditions and naturally germinates in early spring when soil temperatures are low.

Intérêt pour la faune: nectar source
Pollinisateurs: abeilles
Utilisations: culinary greens, salads, cooked dishes

Au fil des saisons

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Floraison

Fructification

Feuillage

Repères écologiques

Salinité: 4/9
Réaction du sol: 7/9
Lumière: 7/9
Température: 3/9
Humidité: 6/9
Nutriments: 8/9

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Why does my spinach bolt?: Spinach is a cool season crop that will flower and turn bitter when days get long and temperatures rise.
Can I grow spinach in summer?: It is very difficult to grow in peak summer heat, so stick to spring and autumn plantings.

D'où vient le nom

The genus name Spinacia comes from the Persian word aspanakh, meaning prickly, referring to the seed structure. The species name oleracea means suitable for the kitchen garden.

Bon à savoir

Spinach was popularized in pop culture by the cartoon character Popeye.
It is incredibly fast growing and can be harvested in as little as 40 days.
Spinach is native to ancient Persia.

Ta plante a mauvaise mine ?

Cette page est un guide général. Pocket Botanist diagnostique les problèmes directement à partir d'une photo de ta plante, adapte l'arrosage à sa luminosité et te prévient quand il faut t'en occuper.

Télécharger l'appli

Ce guide a été généré par IA et vérifié avec la taxonomie du GBIF. Il s'agit d'informations générales, et non de conseils horticoles ou vétérinaires. Découvre comment nous concevons ces guides.