SPINACH GROW GUIDE

Depth to Plant

Spacing Between Plants

Spacing Between Rows

Days to Germinate (Sprout)

Germination
Soil Temp

Planting Season
_________

Plant Height

No. of Plants per sq. ft.

Soil Requirements

Space plants about 3" -  8" apart

Make rows about 12" apart

About Spinach

Spinach can grow anywhere there is at least a month and a half of cool growing weather. Spinach is a cool-season crop, hardy to frosts and light freezes.

When to Plant

Spinach can be grown as soon as the ground is workable. The ground can be prepared in the fall and covered with plastic mulch so that it is ready early in the season. In some instances, a fall-sown spinach crop, well mulched will winter over and start growth again in spring. Fall crops usually taste better and suffer no leaf miners or bolting. Also, if you plant a late fall crop and mulch it, a very early crop will come up in spring.

How to Plant

In rows 12 inches apart, space seedlings 3 inches apart. After thinning, cover the plants with row covers to keep the pests away. (New Zealand spinach is a large growing plant and needs 2 foot rows, 1 foot between plants. Soak seeds overnight before planting because it germinates slowly.)

Be sure the rows are kept moist if spring or fall is dry, and side dress with a high-nitrogen fertilizer such as blood meal or fish emulsion when seedlings are 3 inches tall.

How to Harvest

Cut spinach plant off at the base when the leaves are fully developed. Once cut, they will not come back like chard and lettuce. New Zealand spinach sprawls vigorously; when the stems are about 8 inches long, the tip ends should be cut back several inches to keep it under control. Cook or use as leaf lettuce mixed in salads.