Spinach is a favorite leafy green vegetable consumed for its valuable nutrients. It’s also a popular plant to grow because of its fast growth and leaf production.
The only downside is that it can easily die if not properly taken care of. Pretty sure, you might not want to keep planting after a few harvests. In this post, we’re going to focus on how to grow spinach and care thoroughly.
Quick Facts:
- Botanical Name: Spinacia Oleracea
- Plant Type: cool-weather vegetable
- Sun Exposure: full sun
- Soil Type and pH: loamy (well-drained), neutral (7)
- Hardiness Zone: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
- Nutrients: vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, calcium, choline, copper, fiber, folate, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, protein, zinc.
How to Grow Spinach
1. Preparing
The best time to plant spinach is during early fall or spring. So everything you need should be ready at one of those times. This is an initial step on how to grow spinach.
Basically, have the following items:
- soil*
- pots or wood plant trays
- organic matter
- fertilizer
- a garden tool set
- spinach seeds or seedlings
- basket (optional for harvest)
*Click here for mixed soil for raised beds.
2. Planting Seeds or Seedlings
Start preparing the soil and mix with organic matter and fertilizer. Dig a 1/2 inch to 1 inch deep with at least two inches apart and place seeds or seedlings. Make sure to water after setting each seedling or seeds in place and do it regularly until the harvesting period.
3. Pruning
Trimming is how to grow spinach fast. If the seedlings sprout to 2 inches, thin them to around 3 to 4 inches. There is no need to use cultivation since the roots are shallow and fragile to damages.
4. Adding Fertilizers and Mulch
During the growing period, it’s important to know when to fertilize your spinach. It is usually done once the vegetable has grown 1/3. A liquid fertilizer is preferred.
Also, observe only when the soil pH is becoming low or seems a slow growth as additional fertilizer may be required. Add mulch if you’ve changed the soil.
5. Getting Rid of Pests and Diseases
How to grow spinach is not just about the planting process itself. It also includes the careful observation and removal of pests, which include flea beetles, spider mites and aphids.
But since this leafy vegetable can eaten raw, it’s discouraged to use any insecticides due to the presence of chemicals that are hazardous to health. Instead, apply organic organizers or better yet use a healthier method.
Some of the things to avoid specifically for spinach are leaf miners, bolting, downy mildew, mosaic virus or blight, and birds.
Harvest and Storage
Spinach, depending on its variety, becomes mature in as short as 35 to 45 days. You do not have to wait for too long before your first picks of leaves.
Through the size of the leaves, it should be easy that they are ready to harvest. Ensure that you do not wait too long before you harvest as larger or over mature leaves taste bitter.
When harvesting, trim at the base. You may also just gently pick one layer at a time. This allows the inner layers to develop and survive.
It’s best to serve spinach after a few hours of harvesting them. Although these green leaves are easily damaged, keep them refrigerated to lengthen freshness. But remember that the crunchier the leaves are if freshly picked.
Conclusion
As you can see, the steps on how to grow spinach are plain easy. This is a great pick for first time gardeners. It’s not only a plant that can be easily maintained but also grows quickly.