spinach is a very difficult crop for most areas. The best way to grow it is over the entire winter. It should do ok for you. it should survive and you crop it in the spring. you plant the seeds probably now and harvest in the spring. there are some web sites discussing growing spinach do a google search. of course the pacific north west is where the seed crop is grown because it does well there. I have given up on it and now grow swiss chard. really tasty if you pick some good varieties. It grows so incredibly easy compared to spinach. you can slice off the stem and eat the leaf portion only just like spinach. of course do not throw away the stem. they are great to eat but you can cook them separate for a different texture. However, I just cook it all together. I am not trying to emulate spinach.

Mike, thank you - i really liked your wording: "It may even lose most if not all the leaves if left to wilt just once,,,but it doesn't mean certain death..Just a slow recovery if properly cared for after that.. If it is left to dehydrate more than once to the point of wilt, then it will die." So as timing would have it, I just this morning visited a friends small orchard (that i helped plant this past spring) in Walnut Creek. Evidently he treated the new plantings like mature ones and now he has a mix of citrus looking from what you have Jen; to far far worse. They are all in the ground and in well drained clay. Absolutely parched. He is out there dribbling water now. He wants evidence that they are still alive through immediate / improved leaves..., but it just isn't so with citrus! I had to repeat over and over that this is now a long road back to health. Thankfully, my suggestion of the Meyer planting location has helped it as it is in the best looking condition of all... So his Meyer will rule the dozen! -George

I was looking at how to grow roses from seeds. One source suggested half potting soil, and half vermiculite (the white stuff). I don't recommend MiracleGro potting soil, that stuff is full of peat moss, and is famous for white flies, gnats indoor, and canker on my indoor herbs. I'll use Ball's potting soil made for indoor usage with 55% composted fine pine bark and lime to suppress fungal growth. Will report on the result later.

@Vicky Renee OMG this is one fear that I had to make myself overcome when I started gardening (and am still working on it...) My coworker who is an avid gardener always laugh at how "urban" i am lol She talks about giving slugs "tummy tucks"......I don't think I'll be doing that anytime soon lol