General
This very versatile vegetable can be used in so many ways. In lasagna, on pizza, salads of course, steamed, eggs Florentine (a variation of eggs Benedict with spinach replacing the ham), in the dip, in quiche and spanakopita. It is well worthwhile to learn to grow it well, find the variety that tastes best to you and does well in your garden.
Latin
Spinacia oleraceae
Difficulty
Moderately difficult.
Season & Zone
Season: Cool season.
Exposure: Full-sun or part-shade
Zone: All.
Planting Seeds
Spinach does best in cool weather. Plant any variety from Mar.1-Apr.15 and after Aug.1. For late spring and early summer plantings, use Space. Spinach will bolt (flower) when days are long and hot. Some varieties grow enough leaf to harvest before they bolt. For continuous supply plant every 3 weeks.
Set seeds 1cm (1/2") deep 10 seeds per 30cm (12") in rows 30-45cm (12-18") apart. Plant deeper in hot soil (down to where the moisture is). On the farm: 100' of row needs 28g of seed. An acre will use 4-5kg (8-10lbs).
Germination temperature is 45 to 75 F, but will germinate at soil temperatures as low 40 F. At least 65% of seeds will germinate in optimal conditions. Seeds will sprout in 6 to 21 days, depending on soil temperature. Usual seed life: 3 years.
Preparing Soil
This heavy feeder requires rich soil and a fairly neutral pH of 6.2-6.9 (lime if necessary). Dig in 1/4-1/2 cup complete organic fertilizer beneath each metre (yard) of row. Overwintering spinach needs well-drained soil.
Planting
Plant rows 30-45cm (12-18") apart, 10 seeds/30cm(12"), 1cm (1/2") deep in cool weather, 2cm (1") when it's warmer. Farm: 100' row: 28g. Acre: 4-5kg (8-10lb). Thin to 6-8cm (2-3") apart when the plants are about 6-8cm (2-3") in size, or further if you want large plants. Establishing the first planting in early Spring is well worthwhile, as long as the soil has high nutrition and has been gently warmed by a
cloche. Like Oriental greens, spinach is sensitive to day length and will bolt as the days get longer.
Diseases & Pests
Downy mildew is a fungal disease that causes greyish mold on spinach.
Pale, soft tunnels on the leaves are probably leaf miner damage. Prevent by covering with
floating row cover. You can kill the insect inside the leaf by pinching it and tearing the damaged part out of the leaf (which is otherwise edible).
Harvest
For baby greens, pick when the leaves are 7-10cm (3-4") long. Individual leaves can be picked at anytime, until the plant has started to bolt. Cut the whole spinach plant just above soil level.
Companion Plants
Cabbage family, Celery, Corn, Eggplant, Pea, Strawberry.
