Why does my spinach keep dying?
Written by
Benjamin Miller
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.The cause of spinach loss usually comes from the overwatering or temperature fluctuations. Years ago, a client lost 20 plants due to daily watering. The key point is spinach plants can suffocate their roots in soggy conditions. To test moisture, stick your finger into the soil twist horizontally and let it sit. If it is dry and your finger is dry? Possibly. If it's wet, give it time. Plants are also temp sensitive, keep them below 75 F. One tip is to use shade cloth to provide shade for the plants during hot spikes.
Watering Mistakes
- Overwatering: Limit to 1 inch weekly
- Underwatering: Use moisture meters
- Avoid overhead sprinklers
- Mulch to retain moisture
Soil pH Problems
- Test with $12 kit monthly
- Add lime if below 6.5
- Mix sulfur if above 7.0
- Compost balances gradually
Temperature Stress
- Shade cloth above 70°F
- Row covers below 50°F
- Avoid south walls in summer
- Use cloches for frost
Pests such as aphids and leaf miners add stress to the plants that are already being stressed. Spray the leaves of your plants with a mixture of soapy water (1 teaspoon of dish soap per quart of water) at dawn. I was able to salvage a crop by using reflective mulch- an experiment was done in Michigan which showed that aluminum foil strips kept 80% of the beetles away from the crop.
Fungi and fungal diseases thrive in a damp, humid environment. Space these plants at least 6 inches apart to enable good airflow between them. Here is a handy little baker's tip. Dust the leaves with cornstarch and let that dry, this will absorb the moisture. If you have problems with mildew you can mix 1 part milk to 4 parts water. The lactoferrin proteins in the milk will act like a natural fungicide.
Missing nutrients are reflected in leaf patterns. Nitrogen deficiency causes older leaves to yellow, and side-dress with blood meal. Iron deficiency causes new growth to bleach out; apply chelated sprays weekly. I corrected both in a community garden by testing the soil in advance of planting, not after a problem occurred.
In agriculture, focusing on prevention will always outperform cures. Start with disease-free seeds soaked in water at 122°F for 25 minutes. Be sure to alter the crop yearly and when cycling spinach, do not plant in a location where beets or chard had previously grown. Build a micro-climatic zone by using stone borders, which radiate heat in cooler areas. Establish shaded areas in hot exposed beds.
Read the full article: How to Grow Spinach: 7 Essential Steps for Success
