Why is my spinach not looking too happy?

aliasojo

I planted (from seed) spinach, pod peas, mangetout, tomatoes and cucumbers in heated propagators and potted them all on recently.

The peas and mangetout are like triffids and have just shot up ridiculously quickly, they look very healthy and happy but the spinach plants look wimpy and not too happy.

All the plants are in their own pots sat on a gravel trays with capilliary matting on shelves in front of a window.

I water the matting when it feels just damp but I'm wondering if I'm watering too much/too little for the spinach plants?

Or is there something else that might be making them look a bit unhappy?

valk_scot

Light level too low? It is very early in the year remember. It's too early to plant them out as well. Maybe try again in a month or so?

One way to boost light levels overall btw is to cover half a big cardboard box with foil inside and stand it behind the plants (on the room side of the windowsill)so that it reflects the light back onto the plants. And remember that multi-purpose compost only contains food for 4-6 weeks in total...you'll need to start feeding the plantlets soon.

aliasojo

valk_scot wrote: »

One way to boost light levels overall btw is to cover half a big cardboard box with foil inside and stand it behind the plants (on the room side of the windowsill)so that it reflects the light back onto the plants.

That can be daughter's project for today.

Thanks for the advice, will try that and see if it helps.

annie123

Spinach doesn't like heat. If it's on a sunny south facing window it may be too warm.
I've started mine indoors before but as soon as the first set of leaves are through it goes outside. Mine's outside already under a cloche in case of very cold nights.

I agree with val, sow some more shortly.
Useful link below
http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/fruit_veg_diary/spinach-grow.asp