Spinach is a leafy green vegetable that grows best in cool weather. Spinach is packed with nutrients such as iron, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, thiamin, chlorophyll, potassium and folic acid (one of the B complex vitamins). Spinach, like most dark green leafy vegetables, also contains the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin. Whether raw in salads or lightly steamed spinach is a suitable accompaniment to a wide range of dishes.

Plant Constant

Soil PH:                       6.3 to 6.8
Soil Type:                    Moist, Well Drained
Planting Season:          Sep-Jan
Planting Depth:            1/2”
Planting Space:            2” to 3”
Row Spacing:               12”
Plant Height:                12”
Days to Germinate:       7 – 14 days
Sun:                             Full
Days to Harvest:           40 - 50

Plant Characteristics
Spinach grows as a leafy plant up to 12 inches tall.

When to Plant
Spinach plants like cool weather and will survive a light frost. Grow spinach when you get full sun in cool weather in late summer or early fall. The last planting should be about 50-60 days before the first frosts.

Soil Preparation
Grow Spinach in lots of moisture rich, well drained soil. Soil should be light, fertile with a pH of 6.3 to 6.8 for ideal growth. However, Spinach will grow fine in soil with pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Work some organic compost or manure into the soil to help provide the necessary nutrients for growth. Spinach likes moist but not waterlogged soil. Using mulch of straw or grass clippings can help to retain moisture levels in the soil.

Planting
Spinach seeds can be sown directly in the soil since it resists transplanting. Plant in rows by sowing Spinach seeds 2" to 3" apart. Cover very lightly, 1/2" deep, with soil. Provide 12" between rows. Water lightly and daily for three to five days. Thin when Spinach grows 3 to 4 inches tall. The final spacing of the plants should be 4" to 6" apart. Use succession planting, by sowing a row or partial row every two weeks. This will provide fresh Spinach for the entire season.

Caring
Make sure the soil is moist for most of the time. An inch of water per week is adequate when there is little rainfall. When the plants are 4 inches tall, thin seedlings to 6 inches apart. Be ruthless, crowded plants are more likely to bolt (go to seed prematurely). You can use the cuts in salads. Try not to damage the roots of the plants you leave in the soil.

Growing spinach at a fast pace, will produce the most flavorful, and tender leaves. That means you should provide your Spinach plants with plenty of water, and a healthy dose of fertilizer. Keep plants well weeded.

Use fences to guard your plantation against rabbits and use organic spray to fight the insects if present. If your spinach seeds germinate poorly, or leaves have yellow or brown margins, it means the soil is too acid. Adding lime or wood ashes will correct the imbalance, but be sure to test the soil before you plant: Spinach rebels if the pH goes much over 7.5.

Harvesting
Spinach is ready to harvest at about 40-50 days after planting. You can cut spinach leaves as you need them from the outside of the plant. The spinach leaves can be harvested whenever they look big enough and ready for your salads. If you start picking leaves on the outside of the plant, the inner leaves will then continue to grow and produce a new crop. Alternatively you can harvest the whole plant when they reach maturity and before they begin to flower. If you see buds starting to form at the center, cut and use the whole plant immediately.

Subsequent Crops
Let one or two plants go to seeding, conserve the seeds for planting in the next season.