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Spinach is easy to grow in the right spot, although it will struggle in really hot spots. Spinach will both thrive in a partially sunny spot (about 3 to 4 hours sun per day), protected from wind. Make sure you protect it from the hot sun… consider a shade cloth tent, or planting under taller crops like sweet corn. Leave about 30cm between each plant.
Good drainage, lots of organic matter and a pH between 6-7 will see you get the best out of your spinach crop. Well-rotted compost (containing manures) is an excellent soil additive and should be added to the soil a month before planting. Mulch well with a straw based mulch.
Being a leafy vegie, spinach will respond incredibly well to regular feeds. Worm wee or a weak seaweed tea should be applied every three weeks to keep these guys happy and humming and preventing them from setting seed too early. Both these vegies will thrive if planted after a green manure crop.
Never let your spinach dry out. It needs consistent moisture to remain pest and problem free. A deep soaking, several times a week is ideal.
Snails and slugs are HUGE fans of spinach. There are a couple of things you can do to ward off the inevitable invasion. Spray a coffee mix (one part espresso to ten parts water) on the plants and sprinkle coffee grounds around the base. Beer traps are also very effective, so pop a few old plastic containers with 1cm of beer in them around the garden in the evening. These will be full of slimy critters by the next morning. Creating obstacles of crushed eggshells, lime, wood ash, wood shavings and sawdust around plants also works.
Spinach is a quick grower and perfect for the impatient gardener. Often ready to harvest in as little as six weeks, outer leaves can be removed as soon as they are large enough.
Plant with companions like beetroot, lavender, lovage, marjoram, onion, cherries, celery and eggplant. Avoid planting with basil and wormwood.