WHEN TO PLANT
- If you’re growing organic spinach, it grows best in the cooler weather at the beginning and end of your area’s growing season
- Spinach seed can be planted once the ground is workable
- Longer days cause spinach to go to seed (bolting)more rapidly, so planting spinach as early as possible is advised
- Consecutively plantspinach every 7 to 10 days during the early spring
WHERE TO PLANT
- Growing spinach works best in full sun in early spring
- As spring progresses, plant consecutive plantings in partial shade to protect the plants from the increasing heat, and toslow the bolting process
- Plant spinach behind a crop like corn or pole beans that will grow taller than your spinach
PREPARING THE SOIL
- Spinach has a deep tap root so till the soil at least 12″ deep
- Provide generous amounts of organic matter to keep the soil well-aerated
- Although spinach will grow in a wide variety of soils, it performs best in rich, organic matter such as compost.
- Prepare your planting area in the fall so you can plant seeds in the spring as soon as the ground thaws
- The optimal pH levels for growing spinach should bebetween 6.5 and 7.5
SEEDS AND GERMINATION
- Your seeds should be good for up to 5 years after your purchase date if they’re stored in a cool, dry, location.
- Once you’ve planted your spinach, it typically takes about 43 to 50 days until your plants are mature
- For a higher germination rate, place spinach seeds between wet paper towelsand place in a Zip-loc bag; keep the bag in the refrigerator for 5-7 days
- Seeds will germinate best when daytime temperatures are around 60ºF; the young plants will tolerate nighttime temperatures as low as 40ºF
- When temperatures rise shade the soil until germination
SOWING AND GROWING
- Rather than planting a large spinach cropin early spring (unless you’re planning to freeze spinach for later eating), we recommend planting smaller batchesevery 7 to 10 days. This will provide you maximum availability of fresh spinach
- If a frost is predicted after planting, cover with a row cover and welcome the frost as temperature drops mean sweeter spinach
- In more temperate climates, the use of acold frame can help you plant spinach crops year around
- In warmer climates spinach plants need shelter from the sun
- Plant spinach in the shade of taller crops such as corn or pole beans
- Thin young seedlings to 6” apart once two true leaves have formed
- Once plants develop four true leaves give them a boost of fish emulsion or foliar fertilizer to promote new growth and a sweeter leaf
- Remove large developed leaves to postpone bolting
- Remove any brown leaves; these are not good for eating and sap the plant of it’s strength
- If leaves become large and only a few tender leaves are forming, cut the entire plant 1” above soil level; this will encourage the plant to grow another crop of leaves
- When bolting, the plant will begin to form a center stalk. At this stage leaves become bitter tasting
- When growing spinach in late summer, plant more seeds than you did in the spring; the increased heat causes germination to be more sporadic
WATERING
- Keep moisture levels moist but not soggy
- Allowing soil to dry out will encourage plants to bolt
WHEN TO HARVEST
- Harvesting can begin once the plant has developed at least 6 leaves, usually 6-8 weeks after planting
- Pick leaves from the outside of the plant as soon as they are big enough to use
STORAGE
- Spinach can be dried in a food dehydrator
- Dry unwashed leaves until they break easily and store in a paper bag or container
- Avoid folds in the leaves
- Spinach can also be frozen
- Blanche 1 to 2 minutes, then cool, place in quart size Zip-loc bags and store in freezer
COMMON PESTS AND PROBLEMS
- Since spinach grows best in very cool temperatures, pests are usually not an issue
- If any spotted cucumber beetles are present,handpick them off the plant and destroy them
- Over-watering spinach leads to mildew problems
