Spinach 'Santa Cruz'

Spinach may bolt (go to seed) in hot weather or when stressed. To reduce bolting provide shade during heatwaves and water consistently to avoid drought stress.

• Spinach thrives in cooler temperatures and may bolt in hot weather.
• Spinach prefers a sunny to partially shaded spot. In warmer months, partial shade helps prevent bolting.
• Select an area with well-drained, fertile soil. Spinach grows best in loamy, nutrient-rich soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH.
• Work compost or well-rotted manure into the soil before planting to improve fertility and drainage.
• Plant plugs 15 - 20cm apart in rows spaced 30cm apart.
• Plant the plug so that the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface.
• Gently firm the soil around the plug to remove air pockets.
• Water thoroughly after planting to help the plants settle in.
• For pot growing, choose a container with good drainage and at least 20 - 25cm depth.

Caring:

• Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Spinach requires regular watering, especially during dry spells.
• Water at the base of the plants to avoid splashing soil onto the leaves, which can cause disease.
• Apply a nitrogen-rich liquid fertiliser every 2–3 weeks to promote leafy growth.
• Avoid overfeeding, as excess nitrogen can lead to overly soft leaves prone to disease.
• Remove weeds regularly to reduce competition for nutrients and water. Be careful not to disturb the shallow roots of the spinach plants.
• Apply a thin layer of organic mulch around the plants to retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and keep the soil cool.

Harvesting:

• Begin harvesting 4–6 weeks after planting. Young leaves are tender and perfect for salads, while mature leaves are ideal for cooking.
• Use scissors or a sharp knife to cut individual outer leaves, leaving the inner leaves and growing point intact. This encourages the plant to produce more leaves.
• Alternatively, harvest the entire plant by cutting it at the base, just above the soil line. This is ideal if the plant is close to bolting.

Please allow us 3-5 working days to dispatch your order. Pre-ordered items will be sent as soon as possible after the date quoted and we'll generally ship your entire order with your pre-ordered items. When your order is dispatched, we'll send you another email with details of how to track it.

Most orders are sent on a fully-tracked courier service with Yodel. To avoid perishable items being stuck at depots and deteriorating, no signature is required, and our courier is asked to leave your order in a safe place on your property.

We'll send a tracking link when we dispatch your order, so you know when its due to arrive. Please note, once delivered we cannot be held responsible for loss or theft from your property. If you have any specific delivery instructions, please let us know - there's an option to enter a short message for the courier at the checkout.

Smaller, lighter, single-item orders may be sent through the post with Royal Mail - in which case no tracking is available.

Our experienced nursery team will always send your plants nursery fresh in the perfect condition to thrive when you plant them, so although most plants are very tough and will not be affected by all but the most extreme frosts or heatwaves, we avoid dispatching the most perishable plants if extreme weather is forecast, or over Bank Holiday weekends.

Please note, we cannot guarantee delivery on a certain day or time. Delivery to outlying postcode areas may take 1-2 days longer, dependent on your location.