Annual spinach is hardy and quick-growing, and is a useful catch-crop plant between rows of other vegetables.

Week 14; Prepare the bed by deep digging, and work in a liberal amount of well rotted manure/compost.

To prevent the plants running to seed, site the bed in partial shade.

Rake in a top dressing of any balanced fertiliser at a rate of 100gms. (4oz) per sq.m

Week 17; If ground conditions allow, make the first sowing outdoors, then make successional sowings at two or three-week intervals until early August (Week 33).

Sow the seeds thinly in 25mm (1") deep drills, allowing 300-400mm (12"-16") between rows.

Germination should take around one week.

Thin the seedlings when they are large enough to handle to avoid overcrowding, thin to 150mm (6") apart at first, then finally to 300mm (12") apart.

n.b. When making the second thinning, remove alternate plants and use them for cooking.

When harvesting, do not strip a plant of all of its leaves, pick only the largest leaves as they become ready.