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Product photograph of organic ‘Butterflay’ spinach seeds, illustrated with large rounded glossy dark-green leaves arranged in a compact rosette. The image presents the foliage sought for fresh spring and autumn harvests. Leaf size, texture, and colour may vary with temperature, light, moisture, local growing conditions, plant development, and harvest stage.

Early spinach with slightly blistered to semi-savoy leaf Amaranthaceae

Organic leafy-vegetable seeds

Organic ‘Butterflay’ spinach

Name: Organic ‘Butterflay’ spinach ( Spinacia oleracea )
Brand: Biologiquement vôtre
SKU: BIOV-SEMENCES
Price: 4.49 CAD
Availability: InStock

Spinacia oleracea

Product code : BIOVO-0039

‘Butterflay’ is an organic spinach with very large rounded green leaves, slightly blistered to semi-savoy. It suits spring and autumn growing, and its stated germination rate is 85%. Its relatively slow bolting supports cool-weather harvests. Pick young leaves as needed or harvest the whole rosette in approximately 45–60 days according to the desired stage. Glossy foliage may be harvested young or mature, raw or cooked. Sow short successions to extend picking and choose light shade as days warm. Consistent moisture reduces stress and helps leaves remain tender. Harvest in the morning, cool promptly, and use slightly bruised leaves first. Remove bolting plants before they shade the next sowing.

Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Life cycle: Cool-season annual

Common nameSpinach

FamilyAmaranthaceae

GenusSpinacia

Speciesoleracea

CultivarButterflay

TypeEarly spinach with slightly blistered to semi-savoy leaf

Botanical nameSpinacia oleracea

Reproducible seedsYes

Organic ‘Butterflay’ spinach (Spinacia oleracea) produces large rounded glossy dark-green leaves with tender texture and fresh flavour. This relatively slow-growing variety is best suited to spring and autumn harvests while temperatures remain cool. Harvest timing varies with the season and desired stage: pick baby leaves for salads or allow rosettes to enlarge for cooking. Seeds are organic, but an exact seed count is not confirmed for this product. The upright rosette remains easy to inspect and fits gardens, raised beds, and containers. Its form also supports gradual leaf-by-leaf harvesting.

Direct-sow as soon as soil can be worked, then sow again in late summer for an autumn crop. Place seeds approximately 1–2 cm deep and 2.5 cm apart, then thin plants to 5 cm. Space rows 5–8 cm apart. Choose full sun to partial shade in fertile loose well-drained soil enriched with compost. Keep the bed evenly moist through emergence, then water at the base when the surface begins drying. Fine mulch reduces weeds and keeps roots cool. Avoid late transplanting that disturbs the taproot, and thin with scissors when neighbouring seedlings are tightly rooted.

Harvest leaf by leaf, cutting the largest outer leaves first, or cut the entire rosette above the crown. Begin when leaf size suits your use, often near 45 to 60 days depending on season. Heat and long days accelerate bolting; provide light shade, irrigate consistently, and harvest promptly when the central stem lengthens. Monitor slugs, aphids, leaf miners, and downy mildew. Wash leaves under potable water, dry them, and refrigerate promptly. Discard slimy or severely diseased foliage. Rotate for approximately four years away from other Amaranthaceae. Keep cut leaves cool and use them promptly for best texture.

Sowing guide

It all startswith a seed.

Sowing depth

Approximately 1 to 2 cm (3/8 to 3/4 in)

Spacing / density

Sow 2.5 cm (1 in) apart, thin to 5 cm (2 in), and keep 5–7.5 cm (2–3 in) between rows

Germination temperature

Approximately 4 to 20°C; best germination in cool conditions

Germination time

Approximately 7 to 14 days

Sowing period

As soon as soil can be worked in spring, then from late summer into early autumn

Propagation

Direct sowing recommended; small seedlings may be transplanted with an intact root ball

Growing method

Direct-sow 1–2 cm deep as soon as soil can be worked. Keep moist until emergence, then thin to 5–10 cm while eating seedlings. Weed shallowly, mulch finely, and irrigate steadily. Harvest outer leaves without injuring centres or cut whole rosettes in approximately 45–60 days. Repeat sowing every two weeks in spring, pause during heat, then restart from late August into early September. Promptly remove every bolting plant or one showing severe downy mildew. Germination generally occurs in 7 to 14 days in cool soil. Keep the surface moist without saturation and protect it from crusting. After emergence, cut excess seedlings at soil level. Weed shallowly to protect the taproot. Irrigate consistently while leaves expand, especially under cover. When temperatures frequently exceed 20–24°C, use a site with afternoon shade. Inspect leaf undersides for aphids and miners. Begin picking outer leaves as soon as they reach useful size, then remove plants that bolt rapidly. Sow again in late summer for the main autumn harvest. Mark every sowing date and keep row labels visible. During rainy periods, improve airflow, avoid overhead watering, and remove badly spotted leaves before disease spreads. Check growth weekly.

Soil and care

The right care,at the right time.

Soil pH

Approximately 6.0 to 7.5

Care level

Easy

Watering

Keep soil evenly moist through emergence, then water at the base when the top few centimetres begin drying. Roots benefit from regular moisture rather than alternating drought and saturation. Irrigate in the morning so leaves dry quickly. Add fine mulch after soil warms without covering rosettes. Check containers daily in hot weather and empty saucers. Reduce watering during cool or rainy periods.

Soil type

Prepare deep fertile loose well-drained soil rich in mature compost. Spinach develops a taproot and fine root network, so a compacted crust or hardpan quickly restricts the rosette. Moisture-retentive loam with some clay performs well provided water never stands. Aim for approximate pH 6.0 to 7.5. In sand, increase organic matter and apply a fine mulch; in heavy clay, raise the bed. Avoid fresh manure and rotate for approximately four years to reduce downy mildew and root rots.

Fertilization

Work mature compost into the bed before sowing to feed leafy growth and stabilize moisture. If testing identifies deficiency, apply balanced fertilizer at planting according to label directions. One small nitrogen feeding after thinning may support repeated cuts in poor soil or containers, but excess creates very soft leaves, favours some diseases, and may increase nitrate accumulation. Add phosphorus and potassium only when soil results justify them. Keep products away from centres, scratch in shallowly to protect taproots, and irrigate after application. Stop concentrated feeding before final harvest.

Moisture

Cool evenly moist soil, never saturated

Seasonal care

In early spring, sow as soon as soil can be worked and protect young rows from slugs. Eat thinnings and keep the bed weed-free. As summer approaches, mulch, irrigate steadily, and harvest before flower stems elongate; remove bolted plants and pause sowing during strong heat. Restart in late summer for autumn. Remove diseased leaves, avoid handling wet foliage, and clear debris after final harvest. Maintain an approximately four-year rotation. In spring, monitor very cold nights after emergence and use light cover when needed. Thin promptly to improve airflow around leaves. During active growth, keep soil cool, pick outer foliage, and remove yellow leaves touching the ground. As days lengthen and warm, provide light shade, monitor water more closely, and harvest before bolting. For autumn, sow early enough for rosettes to enlarge before very short days. After prolonged rain, avoid handling wet leaves. At crop end, remove diseased plants and do not leave downy-mildew residue. Record sowing, first harvest, and bolting dates to improve next season’s timing. During cool periods, reduce irrigation when soil remains moist and monitor slugs beneath mulch. Refrigerate leaves immediately after every harvest. Record recurring problems to adjust the date and location of the next sowing. In containers, refresh compacted surface mix and keep drainage clear. Before winter, wash reusable covers and store them dry. Keep records dry and readable.

Container growing

A garden,within reach.

Recommended pot size

At least 15 to 20 L and 20 to 25 cm (8 to 10 in) deep

Use a container of at least 15–20 L and 20–25 cm deep with abundant drainage. Sow in short rows, then thin to 5–8 cm for baby leaves or 10 cm for large rosettes. Choose rich moisture-retentive mix, place in spring sun, then light afternoon shade as days warm. Check moisture daily because a dry container triggers rapid bolting. After an outer-leaf cut, very dilute label-directed liquid fertilizer may support regrowth. Replace mix between batches if root disease appears. Place the container in morning sun with light shade during hot afternoons. Sow in short rows, then thin with scissors and eat the young shoots. Water slowly to drainage and always empty the saucer. Check moisture daily because containers dry quickly in wind. A thin mulch keeps the surface cool without touching rosettes. Feed lightly only when leaves pale. Rotate the container for even light, harvest clean outer foliage, and promptly remove any plant that bolts or shows persistent disease. Refresh the surface mix before a second sowing. A rectangular planter simplifies short rows and gradual thinning. Keep drainage holes open, shade the pot during extreme afternoon heat, and wash reusable containers before the autumn sowing.

Bloom and dimensions

Its place,in your garden.

Mature height

Approximately 20 to 40 cm (8 to 16 in) before or during bolting

Width / spread

Approximately 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10 in)

Flower color

Greenish

Foliage color

Medium to dark green

Foliage type

Substantial rounded glossy slightly blistered leaves

Growth rate

Slow

Growth habit

Low vigorous rosette

Fragrance

Rich vegetal slightly sweet cool-season flavour, stronger after heat or bolting

Bloom period

As days lengthen or heat stresses plants, a central stalk rises and carries small inconspicuous greenish flowers. Bolting makes leaves firmer and sometimes more bitter. Harvest rosettes promptly as they begin to bolt, then sow again when temperatures cool. Several plants may flower separately for small pollinators without shading the remaining row. Wind carries much of the pollen, so flowering plants should remain separated from seed-saving selections of other spinach cultivars.

Fruiting

Spinach does not produce fleshy fruit. After flowering, female plants or fertile flowers form small dry seeds along the stems. Culinary leaf quality declines during this process. For a leafy harvest, remove bolting stalks. For seed saving, isolate healthy plants, allow them to dry completely, and confirm that pollination conditions can maintain the cultivar. Label saved seed with the year and parent row, then test germination before relying on it for the following crop.

Days to maturity

Approximately 45 to 60 days according to stage and conditions

Harvest

Begin with baby leaves at 5–8 cm, then harvest larger outer leaves as needed. Cut petioles cleanly with scissors and leave centres intact for regrowth. For one harvest, cut the rosette just above soil in approximately 45–60 days. Pick in the morning while leaves are cool, discard yellow or diseased tissue, and chill immediately. Store unwashed or perfectly dried in a ventilated container for up to five or six days. Harvest everything before flower-stem elongation makes leaves tougher and more bitter.

Garden associations

In goodcompany.

Companion plants

Cucumber and lettuce are the suggested companion plants. Place cucumber on a trellis to the north so it does not completely shade spinach, and harvest lettuce before it crowds the rows. These crops share a need for consistent moisture without guaranteeing freedom from pests. Keep each crop adequately spaced, check water separately, and preserve a path for leaf harvest. Afterward, rotate away from other Amaranthaceae. Remove diseased leaves promptly from neighbouring crops. Prevent cucumber vines from resting directly on spinach, and harvest mature lettuce before it traps humidity around the rosettes.

Plants to avoid

Mainly avoid a short rotation with other spinach and hot drying sites

Recipe idea

From the gardento your plate.

Edible parts

Baby leaves and mature leaves

Sautéed ‘Butterflay’ spinach — Wash 400 g sound leaves in several changes of water, remove tough petioles, and dry thoroughly. Heat 15 ml oil, add one garlic clove for 30 seconds, then leaves. Cook for 2 to 4 minutes while stirring until wilted yet still green. Season lightly with salt and pepper and finish with 10 ml lemon juice. Serve immediately. Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and use promptly. Discard every slimy, mouldy, or abnormal-smelling leaf. This preparation makes approximately four servings. Add leaves in batches so they wilt evenly without boiling. Serve with eggs, pasta, rice, or legumes. Cool leftovers within two hours and refrigerate. Wash the board and utensils after contact with garden soil. People following a diet controlled for oxalates or vitamin K may seek advice from a health professional. Use clean leaves and discard any slimy portions before cooking. Serve immediately after cooking or divide into shallow containers for rapid cooling.

Frequently asked questions

Your questions,answered.

Can ‘Butterflay’ produce throughout summer?

Not reliably in Quebec. ‘Butterflay’ bolts slowly compared with many spinaches, but long days and heat still eventually trigger flower stalks. Sow very early, maintain cool soil, provide light afternoon shade, and harvest regularly to extend spring. During heat waves, temporarily replace spinach with a heat-adapted leafy crop, then sow ‘Butterflay’ again from late August into early September for autumn. Cut with clean scissors without injuring the centre of the rosette. Harvest in the morning, keep leaves shaded, and cool promptly. Small leaves are best for salads, while larger ones become tender after brief cooking. Stop repeated harvest when the central stem rises because texture becomes firmer.

How can leaves be harvested without killing the rosette?

Cut outer leaves one at a time once they reach the desired size, leaving upright young centre leaves intact. Do not remove more than one-third to one-half of the rosette in one visit. Irrigate after harvest when soil is dry and wait for new leaves before repeating. If a central stem elongates or leaves become triangular and bitter, the plant is bolting; harvest it completely instead of waiting for tender regrowth. Heat, long days, water stress, and root disturbance may trigger bolting. Sow early in spring or in late summer, maintain moisture, and choose light shade as temperatures rise. Harvest promptly when plants lengthen their central stem. A slow-bolting cultivar still responds to severe heat and cannot remain indefinitely leafy.

How can downy-mildew risk be reduced?

Space plants correctly, water at the base in the morning, and avoid handling leaves while wet. Remove affected leaves promptly and do not leave diseased debris on the bed. A rotation of approximately four years and good air circulation reduce pressure. Varietal tolerance does not replace these measures and never constitutes immunity to every strain of downy mildew. Yellowing may result from excess water, limited nitrogen, compacted roots, or aging foliage. Check drainage and moisture first, then see whether only outer leaves are affected. Remove diseased tissue and avoid adding fertilizer automatically. When irregular spots spread during humid weather, improve airflow and confirm whether downy mildew is present.

Why is germination poor in warm weather?

Spinach seed naturally germinates best in cool soil. High temperature may induce dormancy, while a dry surface quickly kills emerging roots. Sow in late summer once nights cool, pre-moisten the furrow, cover 1–2 cm, and use light cloth to retain moisture until emergence. Irrigate with a very gentle stream. Do not waterlog soil because heat combined with standing water encourages rot instead. Use fresh seed when repeated attempts fail and check that the surface has not formed a compact crust. A small test sowing helps distinguish a temperature problem from low viability. Record soil temperature and the number of days to emergence so the next sowing can be adjusted.

Can ‘Butterflay’ seed be saved?

Yes. ‘Butterflay’ is widely sold as open-pollinated. Spinach produces male and female plants and wind carries its pollen, so it may cross with other nearby flowering spinach. Retain several healthy plants to maintain diversity, isolate them from other varieties, let stalks brown, and harvest in dry weather. Wear gloves if seed is prickly, finish drying under cover, and label the year. Do not save seed from diseased or unusually early-bolting plants. Store only firm, thoroughly dry seed in a labelled envelope in a cool place protected from moisture. Run a small germination test before the following sowing.

Wildlife and pets

Life,around your plants.

Supporting wildlife

Plants usually harvested before bloom offer limited resources for pollinators. When several rosettes bolt, their small greenish flowers may attract tiny bees and pollinating flies. Leave them only in a separate area, avoid insecticides on blossoms, and prevent them from shading young sowings. Keep flowering stalks away from new rows.