Why You Should Absolutely Plant, Grow, and Harvest Spinach

As a nutrient-rich and versatile vegetable, spinach has many benefits both in the kitchen and in the garden. It is a leafy green that can be cooked or eaten raw and is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Why Grow Spinach? The reasons to add spinach to your garden are many. First, spinach is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help improve health and prevent disease. It is easy to grow, and rewarding way to get fresh, homegrown produce

Spinach is easy to grow and can be harvested in just a few weeks. If you're thinking about planting, growing, and harvesting spinach, this guide is for you. We will give you all the information you need to get started, including what kind of spinach to grow, when to plant it, how to care for it, and when to harvest it. We'll also share some tips on how to make the most of your crop.

Purchase Spinach Seeds and Supplies

There are 30+ spinach plant varieties; therefore, choosing the right variety and high-quality seeds is a great start. This will give you the best chance of success and germination rate. You can purchase spinach seed packets from your local nursery, garden center, or online. If you do not already have a garden, you could always try growing some of your favorite veggies, such as spinach, in pots on your porch or patio.

Where To Plant Spinach

In-ground or Container? First, let's talk about the foundation. Soil is key. The soil should be well-drained soil and rich in organic matter. Before planting, add compost or manure before planting into the soil. I typically use rabbit manure because it is considered cold, meaning; you don't have to allow it to age before use.

In-Ground

For in-ground, the first thing you must do is find out what soil you have. If your soil has a high clay content, add organic matter to the soil to help improve the soil structure. This will also help the soil retain more water. Afterward, you can sow spinach seeds directly in the ground; make sure the seeds are spaced about 2 inches apart.

Containers, Pots, and Raised Bed Gardens

The best container size for growing spinach in pots is a 12-inch pot or larger. This size pot will provide enough space for the roots to develop and the leaves to grow. The pot should have drainage holes to allow excess water to drain out. Use a balanced potting mix (garden soil) for containers or pots. I enjoy growing spinach in my square-foot garden because of the isolated space.

Pro Tip: If you can't find container soil, add Peat Moss and vermiculite to your soil.

Cold Frame

Cold frames are perfect for growing a variety of leafy greens such as spinach, carrots, chard, kohlrabi, beets, kale, and leaf lettuce. Look for the varieties that you and your family like best and that you can grow in a limited space.

What Is A Cold Frame?

Glad you asked. A cold frame is a type of greenhouse typically used to protect plants from cold weather. Cold frames are made from various materials, but they all have a clear top that allows sunlight to enter. The sides of a cold frame can be made from wood, plastic, or metal.

Does Spinach Need Sun or Shade?

Spinach is a cool weather crop and will do best in full sun in the spring or fall. It can tolerate some shade, but it will not produce as much if it does not get full sun. If you grow spinach in the summer, choose a spot with some afternoon shade to protect the leaves from the hot sun. I have been successful in growing in both full sun and shade.

When To Plant Spinach

Spinach seeds need warm soil to germinate, so wait to plant them until the soil temperature is at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

For best results, sow seeds according to the spinach packet instruction. Since spinach is a cool-weather crop, it thrives in early spring and fall. To maintain a constant supply of spinach during the growing window, you can use a strategy known as succession planting, in which you can plant seeds at a determined interval (typically between 7 – 21 days) to maintain a consistent harvest. Gardeners use this technique to harvest very early spring, late spring, early fall, and late fall harvests.

Early Spring Crop

Since spinach is a cool-weather crop, it is best to sow the seeds in early spring, about two weeks before the last frost date. The soil should be moist and loose so add some compost or organic matter before planting. 

Once planted, water the seeds well and keep the soil moist. Fertilizer is not necessary, but it is encouraged to boost your plants. , you can use a light application of composted manure.

Did You Know: New Zealand Spinach, and Malabar Spinach, are not technically spinach but have spinach consistencies and is known as summer spinach because it thrives in heat.

Fall Crop

Plant spinach seeds in late summer or early fall to ensure germination. Spinach can tolerate a light frost.

Once planted, water the seeds well and keep the soil moist.

When spacing your seedlings, you will want to space them out by two inches apart. After that, water your new spinach plants regularly. Your leaves won't have any trouble absorbing the nutrients you've added.

How To Plant Spinach

How Many Spinach Seeds Should You Sow Per Hole?

It’s safe to plant one seed if the seeds are fresh. Older seeds may have lower success rates. Therefore, I recommend sowing 2-4 seeds per hole. Depending on your growing window, you can speed up the process by soaking your spinach seeds to accelerate germination. Got Spinach Seeds?

How Deep Should You Plant Spinach Seeds?

As a rule of thumb, you should plant a seed twice as deep as it is wide. Therefore, you should plant spinach seeds ½ inch deep.

How Long Does It Take For Spinach To Germinate?

After you have planted your seeds, you should expect germination to occur within 7 days. At this point, your spinach plants will have new leaves.

Fertilizing Spinach

When selecting a fertilizer for spinach, choose one with a higher nitrogen content to encourage leaf growth. Apply fertilizer to the soil before planting and when the plants are at least 6 inches tall. Don’t forget to water regularly and harvest when the leaves are tender.

I like to top-dress my soil with rabbit manure before planting my seeds. As soon as spinach seedlings grow their first true leaves, I recommend using liquid fertilizer. I use fish emulsion or compost tea during regular feedings.

Thinning Out Spinach Seedlings

Thin seedlings to about 6 inches apart once they have grown their first true leaves. Instead of removing the young plants by hand, a sharp pair of shears is recommended to ensure the roots are not disturbed.

Watering Spinach Plants

Now that you have planted your seeds ensure you water spinach regularly; however, it would be best if you did not let them sit in a puddle of water.  If using a pot or container, drain any excess water from the soil before allowing the container to dry. The best way to do this is by using a hose with a delicate spray nozzle. 

How To Harvest Spinach

You can harvest spinach in just 30 days after planting and sometimes sooner. Some varieties grow faster than others, so check the packet for exact timing.

You can harvest spinach throughout the winter months. Harvesting spinach is a simple process that even beginner gardeners can do. Different methods can be used to harvest this leafy green, and the method you choose will depend on the amount of spinach you need and how quickly you need it.

Tip: The small leaves of baby spinach (Spinacia oleracea) are more tender and have a sweeter flavor than mature leaves.

Method 1: Continuous Harvest

Cut the leaves about an inch from the ground using a sharp knife or gardening shears. This method works well if you only need a small amount of spinach or plan to harvest more later in the season. The leaves will grow back 2-3 times. This method is preferred if you are planning on continuous harvesting. 

Method 2: All At Once

Pull up the entire plant, roots and all, or cut at the base of the plant (whole plant). This is a good choice if you need a large amount of spinach all at once or if your plants are getting too big and crowded.

Harvesting, Storing, and Preserving Tips:

Whichever method you choose, harvesting spinach is easy once you know when and how to do it properly. By following these simple tips, you'll be able to enjoy fresh, homegrown spinach all season long:

1. The leaves should be dark green and perky and at least four inches long
2. Cut the spinach leaves off the stem using a sharp knife or scissors. Be careful not to damage the plant as you harvest – if you do, it won't produce as much spinach in the future.
3. Wash the spinach leaves thoroughly in cool water.
4. Spin the leaves in a salad spinner to remove excess water.
5. Place the spinach in an airtight container and refrigerate it until ready to use it.

Looking for ways to harvest more? Read: Level Up: 9 Power Tips To Maximize Your Garden All Year

Diseases And Pests That Impact Spinach

The two primary fungal diseases affecting spinach are downy mildew and powdery mildew. Taking preventative measures to prevent these diseases from ruining your crop is essential.  

How To Minimize Disease On Spinach Plants

Downy mildew does not thrive in damp conditions. So, if you water your spinach early in the day, you will want to allow the leaves to dry before you cover them up.

Powdery mildew is usually found in warm and humid environments. It does not like to hang out with a bunch of wet leaves. Therefore, providing good air circulation around your spinach plants is important by thinning them out and keeping the leaves dry. If your plants are already infected with one of these diseases, you should act quickly to prevent them from spreading to the rest of your garden. Remove any affected leaves, and if you are unsure, remove them immediately.

Pest Control For Spinach Crop

We know you love fresh spinach, but unfortunately, pests love them also. In some cases, it is first come, first serve. To ensure you have an opportunity to eat “your” spinach, covering crops can eliminate many pests on various plants, including flea beetles on spinach or salad greens.

Consider purchasing a row cover online or from a big box store, or build them yourself. A row cover is a polyester or polypropylene material placed over plants and provides three key protection attributes: used to reduce or prevent exclude pests, acts as a windbreak and can be used to extend the growing season by retaining heat. Row covers also allow light, water, and air to the plants.

Spring Spinach vs Fall Spinach

We all love fresh spinach in salads, pasta, curries, and smoothies. It’s one of those greens that go well with everything, taste delicious, and are easy to cook. So, why is fall spinach preferred over spring spinach? Let’s find out!

Spring Spinach Bolts Early

Let's clear the air. When you hear someone talking about planting spinach, you assume they are talking about spring spinach. Can you grow spinach in the spring? Yes! Spring spinach is a great vegetable to grow in your garden. You can plant spring spinach seeds in the ground, but you need to start them indoors so that you don't have to wait until the weather gets warmer.

It's good to note that spinach begins to bolt as soon as the days get longer and the weather gets warmer. Why? Spinach does not like warm nor hot weather. This situation results in a much shorter harvest, and the bolted spinach does not taste as good either! Tip: consider purchasing a shade cloth to protect your spinach crop from too much heat.

The obvious solution to this problem is to plant spinach in the fall. The fall days are shorter, and the weather is suitable for getting a lot of spinach from your garden. So let's dig into why we prefer fall spinach over spring spinach.

Spinach Is A Cold-Hardy Vegetable

Spinach thrives in cool temperatures, so it's perfect for planting in the fall. Typically you plant fall spinach in late summer. This cold-hardy vegetable can survive harsh winters. After giving you a great harvest from September through November, it’ll quiet down in the colder months of December, January and February. When the weather gets warmer, the fall spinach becomes active again and produces more spinach than you’ll know what to do with!

You Can Make Spinach Dishes For Thanksgiving And Christmas

Whether you are making spinach lasagna or a pasta salad with spinach, there’s no denying how delicious spinach tastes. The great thing about fall spinach is that it’s hardy enough to survive the late fall and early winter, meaning you can harvest enough spinach for the holiday season. 

If you feel like your spinach is growing inactive before December, freeze your harvest so you can still add it to Christmas dinner!

Spinach Is Low Maintenance

You don’t need to do anything special to keep your fall spinach alive. As long as you planted it about eight weeks before the frost date, spread a layer of mulch around it, and water it well, there’s no reason your fall spinach won’t produce a lot of luscious leafy greens. 

Now that you know how to plant, grow and harvest spinach, let’s discuss its many benefits. 

Spinach Is Loaded With Nutritional Benefits

If you grew up watching Popeye, you probably remember seeing the results of spinach in the form of strength, energy, vitality, etc. (Yes, I admit it is a cartoon, but there's a lot of truth in the value; however, I don't believe you can pick up a house after eating a can of spinach – LOL)

A single serving of spinach contains:

• 10 calories • 3 grams of fat • 0 milligrams of cholesterol • 1 gram of carbohydrate • 5 mg of sodium • 2.

Nutritional Value

Spinach is one of the healthiest vegetables that you can eat. Not only does it contain a lot of vitamins, but it also contains lots of fiber. If you want to add dense nutrients to your diet, think spinach.

Freshly picked spinach has the most nutrition, while older spinach tends to lose its nutrients.

Spinach is a great source of iron, vitamin K, fiber, folate, calcium, Magnesium, potassium, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zeaxanthin, beta carotene, vitamins B1, B2, C, E, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, thiamine, folic acid, and zinc.

Did you know spinach is considered a superfood? All of us know that spinach is good for us, but the question remains: What makes this green a superfood? Below are just a few nutritional facts that make this green super healthy.

Calcium: The leaves of the spinach contain more than 250 milligrams of calcium per cup, which will help keep your bones and teeth healthy. Spinach is a rich source of the following nutrients: vitamins A, C, E, and K and minerals like iron and calcium.

Magnesium: Spinach is one of the best sources of dietary Magnesium. Did you know that Magnesium is an important mineral for maintaining healthy blood pressure, regulating your heart rhythm, and increasing your metabolism?

Iron: We all know it’s important to eat foods with high levels of iron. Your body requires iron content to use your energy effectively. Eating iron-rich foods such as spinach can increase your body’s iron absorption.

Bonus (Spinach Recipes We Love)

You can add spinach to salads, soups, pasta dishes, or even smoothies. Consuming at least three servings of leafy green vegetables daily is a good idea.

Easy Sauteed Spinach

Ingredients:

1. 1lb. Fresh Spinach
2. Garlic
3. 1-2 tps oil
4. Spices (Seasoning) To Taste

Instructions:

Heat oil in a pan, then add garlic or other spices. When they start to sizzle, add your spinach. Stir until all of the greens are wilted. Serve hot.

Best Creamy Spinach

Ingredients:

1. 1lb. Fresh Spinach, Chopped
2. 1/2 Cup Flour
3. 4 Eggs
4. 1/4 Cup Milk
5. 1/4 Cup Butter
6. Salt & Pepper to Taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
3. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
4. Add flour and constantly whisk until the mixture thickens and is bubbly.
5. Remove from heat.
6. Add eggs, one at a time, constantly whisking after each addition.
7. Add milk and spinach, mixing well.
8. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
9. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, if desired.
10. Bake the dish for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

Frequently Asked Questions about Spinach

Conclusion

In conclusion, spinach is an easy crop to grow and provides many nutritional benefits. It is a cool weather crop that can be planted in the spring or fall and does not require a lot of space. Spinach can be harvested by cutting the leaves from the plant or pulling up the entire plant. Growing your own spinach is a great way to get fresh, nutritious greens and save money on your grocery bill. Hopefully, this post convinces you to plant fall spinach in your garden this year. If you do, please let us know!