Spinach, harvesting
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Spinach leaves taste best when younger; as the plant matures, the leaves can become bitter, especially if the plant has bolted.
You can harvest by cutting just the outer leaves, leaving the inner leaves to grow larger, then cutting them at a later date, or cutting the whole plant about 1 inch above the soil line and allowing it to regrow for a second harvest.
During the warm months, alternatives to spinach include New Zealand spinach and Malabar spinach. These plants tolerate warm weather and have a taste similar to true spinach. Harvest New Zealand spinach in the summer by pinching the growing tips and stems. Harvest Malabar spinach by picking and eating the leaves.