How do you grow spinach for beginners?
Written by
Kiana Okafor
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Growing spinach in the garden starts by planting in well-drained soil soon after the last spring frost or in early fall. Spinach requires moisture and may do better if planted in partial shade. You will have crisp leaves in no time. This green is one of the fastest-growing vegetables.
Soil Preparation
- Mix compost into sandy loam soil
- Test pH and adjust to 6.5-7.5 range
- Ensure 12 inch depth for root growth
Planting Technique
- Sow seeds ½ inch deep in rows
- Space plants 3 inches apart
- Cover lightly with fine soil
Ongoing Care
- Water containers daily morning
- Apply organic fertilizer every 3 weeks
- Monitor for pests like aphids
Maintain soil temperatures between 45°F and 75°F. That's 7 to 24 Celsius. Spinach bolts quickly in heat. Use shade cloth above 80 degrees. Your plants stay productive longer in cool conditions.
Begin harvesting your outer spinach leaves with the cut-and-come-again method. You want to snip through the leaves about 1 inch above the crown. You mustn't harvest more than one-third of the plant at a time when using this technique. With quick regrowth, you'll have several opportunities to harvest from your spinach plants.
During extreme temperatures, both cold weather (Freezing) and high heat can be protected from. Using Row Covers when cold (frost) is a concern; for high temperatures, you need to cover with Shade Cloth. I've successfully done it to preserve my crops, thus greatly expanding the harvest season.
Spinach is a popular choice for many new gardeners because it grows quickly and provides immediate feedback on your gardening efforts. You may want to try different types and methods of increasing spinach before you become comfortable growing more challenging vegetables. Start small, and savour your fresh greens!
Read the full article: How to Grow Spinach: Ultimate Gardening Guide
