Small spinach seedlings already getting flower heads

[Marb67]

Well I sowed some spinach in a seed tray a few weeks ago in the cool end of the kitchen house to avoid the heat. I have since had them gradually outside where they are getting a bit twisted and distorted (my age old problem) but now only about 2.5 inches high I can see flower heads forming Shall I still plant them out ?

[Scarlet]

No, they are bolting. Spinach bolts at the drop of a hat in the warm weather.I've given up growing it! Put them in the compost.

[Marb67]

But what if I cut the flower heads off ?

[Alison]

No use cutting the heads off, they're done for. It's always a problem with summer sown spinach. I always sow direct in the spring and autumn but have given up at this time of year, too much disappointment. Yours have probably bolted even earlier as you've sown them indoors too.

[Lumpy]

Like you I learnt the hard way that spinach has its on set of rules and will not tell me what they are.

If I sow it again (which I doubt) I will have a go around the end of Aug and make sure it is hidden behind something else so it is more shaded.

[bario1]

Spinach was the first thing I ever grew on my allotment - i just sowed them in a line straight in the ground in late July, and hey presto, more spinach than two of us could eat, for months.

That was in 2012. Every single sowing of spinach since has bolted before it's got 4" tall.

[Scarlet]

Spinach was the first thing I ever grew on my allotment - i just sowed them in a line straight in the ground in late July, and hey presto, more spinach than two of us could eat, for months.

That was in 2012. Every single sowing of spinach since has bolted before it's got 4" tall.

My OH did similar one year - I never heard the end of his gloating!

[Bren In Pots]

No use cutting the heads off, they're done for. It's always a problem with summer sown spinach. I always sow direct in the spring and autumn but have given up at this time of year, too much disappointment. Yours have probably bolted even earlier as you've sown them indoors too.

Thats what I do Alison i've still got some early sown spinach in the freezer.

[bearded bloke]

Echo the above, best crop I've ever had I have yet to see I set seed in a tray for a mate in early spring, he took the tray to Kent after a visit & I've not had time to go visit him yet, but I'm assured it's really tasty

[Yasai]

Mine bolted twice over. I then gave up and am now having a go at dwarf french beans. Will try again with spinach when the weather gets cooler.

[Penellype]

I sow spinach in March and providing I keep it watered it usually gives a great crop. I always fall for a later sowing as I love spinach, and I am always disappointed because it bolts. This year I sowed the supposedly bolt resistant variety Amazon in late April and although it produced some small leaves, it very quickly bolted. I will learn eventually...

[Scoot]

No, they are bolting. Spinach bolts at the drop of a hat in the warm weather.I've given up growing it! Put them in the compost.

Same as me. I've got a load of seed upstairs but just stopped as I was sick to death of them bolting time after time.

[PyreneesPlot]

I've given up on spinach and grow perpetual spinach instead - flavour isn't quite the same but for cooking (we've just had some in a tart) it is pretty good.