I started some spinach in new plastic growing containers with jiffy mix 2/3 weeks ago and set them on my heating mat-they popped up nicely-then transferred to grow lights with 2-3" of clearance. They are growing very healthy, about 2" tall....but now are starting to bolt
Whats up with that? Any help appreciated
- rainbowgardener
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 25279
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
- Location: TN/GA 7b
Too much heat. Spinach is a cold weather crop that starts to bolt as soon as it get hot.
I don't start spinach indoors (though I do a ton of other stuff). I just plant spinach seed directly in the ground as soon as the ground can be worked, usually about a month earlier than the average last frost date.
My in the ground spinach that was fall planted and over-wintered, is already starting to bolt, since it is 80 degrees today.
If I were going to start spinach indoors, I wouldn't use a heat mat for it. That's for stuff that likes warm weather.
I don't know where you are or how hot it is already for you. To try to save your spinach, I would cut all the tops off it, then get them outside to harden off ASAP. Get them in the ground in a partly shaded spot as soon as you can.
I don't start spinach indoors (though I do a ton of other stuff). I just plant spinach seed directly in the ground as soon as the ground can be worked, usually about a month earlier than the average last frost date.
My in the ground spinach that was fall planted and over-wintered, is already starting to bolt, since it is 80 degrees today.
If I were going to start spinach indoors, I wouldn't use a heat mat for it. That's for stuff that likes warm weather.
I don't know where you are or how hot it is already for you. To try to save your spinach, I would cut all the tops off it, then get them outside to harden off ASAP. Get them in the ground in a partly shaded spot as soon as you can.