TROUBLESHOOTING

Slugs and snails love spinach so protect seedlings with cloches while they get established, and go on regular late night hunts with a head torch to find and squash any slimy visitors.

Long day length, lack of water and warm temperatures all trigger bolting, so make sure plants get enough water and avoid growing spinach in summer. Growing it in partial shade may also help.

Spinach is prone to various mildews, especially if it is growing in crowded conditions with poor air circulation. Avoid watering the leaves and look out for hybrid varieties bred for resistance to fungal infections such as ‘‘Andromeda’’.