Can spinach regrow after harvesting?
Written by
Nguyen Minh
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.When you preserve the crown, spinach will grow back after harvesting. Ensuring that the outer leaves are cut correctly will encourage new growth from the central area. I pick my spinach in the early morning when the leaves of the plant are crisp and tender. When using the correct technique, I can achieve 3-4 harvests in warm weather before the plant bolts.
Harvesting Method
- Use sharp scissors to cut outer leaves
- Cut 1 inch above soil level
- Never pull leaves to avoid crown damage
- Rotate cutting positions around plant
Growth Stimulation
- Apply liquid seaweed fertilizer after harvesting
- Water deeply within 2 hours of cutting
- Maintain soil temperature below 75°F
- Ensure 4+ hours sunlight daily
Bolting Prevention
- Shade plants when temperatures exceed 70°F
- Harvest entire plant if flowering begins
- Select bolt-resistant varieties like 'Space'
- Time harvests before daylight increases
Maximizing yields with regrowth readiness. New baby leaves will appear as small, central shoots 3-4 days after the cutoff. I will wait until those leaves are 3-4 inches before cutting again. I always track the harvest dates on garden tags for complete regrowth cycles.
Reduce stress to the plant while regenerating. Do NOT harvest during heat waves or drought. Water plants right before cutting to lessen the shock. When temperatures exceed 80°F, I would deliberately skip harvests to conserve the plant's energy for survival.
Use the right tools for harvesting for clean cuts to avoid symptoms. Sharp bypass pruners don't tear. Disinfect pruner blades with alcohol between uses on different plants. I carry a little kit in my pocket for pruners and disinfecting pads. This helps ensure the disease is not transferred between plants.
Increase harvests by timing! The ideal time to start in the field is when the plant has 6-8 mature leaves. Stop harvesting when plants show signs of flowering. I record the harvest count for each plant to find which are at the top for seed saving.
Read the full article: When to Plant Spinach for Best Results
