Growing spinach is a great alternative to regularly buying it in the grocery store. It is not only cost efficient to grow your own vegetables, but freshly grown produce ensures that all the key vitamins and nutrients are present. This leafy green vegetable is one of the best sources of calcium and iron as well as vitamins A and C. You can grow different varieties that will vary in color, texture and size. Knowing the best time to grow this vegetable and properly nurturing the soil will ensure optimal results.
Those who enjoy crisp, dark colored leaves may enjoy the savoyed or semi-savoyed variety of spinach. For best results you should grow savoyed spinach during the colder months of the year, particularly winter. A smooth-leafed variety grows rapidly and tends to have a light green leaf. You can basically pick the leaves from this vegetable readily because it grows so quickly.
Placing seeds in a protective box outside or inside during the winter months is ideal. If you choose to plant in the fall you should do so before the first frost occurs. Remembering that this vegetable grows quickly, you’ll need to plant seeds about every three weeks. Because the climate and the soil need to be in good condition for this vegetable to grow, you should avoid planting seeds during the summer months.
For best results soil should be loosened and mixed with soybean and alfalfa meal. Growth is more likely to occur if seeds are planted one half inch into the ground and approximately two inches in distance from each other. Because the leaves of this vegetable can spread out, space rows about eight inches apart.
Because this vegetable grows so quickly, you have the option to pluck leaves to be used for cooking as soon as six weeks after planting. The root of the plant should remain in the soil so that growth and harvest can continue. Do not uproot the vegetable until it becomes noticeably tall, which typically occurs in the springtime.
To avoid rodents that can kill a crop, keep the vegetables evenly spaced. Slugs are damaging too and typically live where mulch is present. Therefore, be sure to limit mulch where seeds are going to be planted. Plants that demonstrate older or yellow leaves should be uprooted as they have the potential of transmitting viral diseases to the others.
You can enjoy the sweet, crisp taste of this vegetable quickly after planting it. However, be sure to continue planting seeds so that the vegetables will continue to grow and you can enjoy fresh greens all season long.
Growing spinach is not difficult if you’re aware of the best times to plant seeds, as well as the techniques of harvesting. This tasty vegetable is loaded with nutrients and can be used as part of a salad or main course meal. You may want to try different varieties of this vegetable, as well as different methods of preparing it to determine your favorite spinach type and recipe.
