Spinach, whose scientific name is Spinacia oleracea, is a family of nutritious leafy green vegetables. Like other leafy greens, spinach is chock-full of vitamins and minerals including vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, folic acid, manganese, iron, calcium, and potassium; is low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and calories; and is a good source of dietary fiber and antioxidants. Spinach comes in a number of varieties that generally vary slightly in the number of days between planting and harvest. The biggest distinguishing physical feature between spinaches is the leaf shape; some spinach has smooth leaves while others have crumpled leaves. Gardening spinach as a healthy addition to your diet is easy with these simple instructions and tips.
Planting and Growing Spinach
Spinach is a hardy vegetable that can be planted as early as late winter and as late as mid summer. For a late spring or early summer crop, plant seeds three to six weeks before the last anticipated frost. Seeds can be planted in frozen ground and will germinate as the weather warms up. Spinach can survive a light frost. For a fall crop, plant seeds in the middle of August. Plant spinach seeds approximately one-half to one inch apart in rows that are spaced about twelve inches apart. Loosely cover with one-half inch of soil. Water regularly, as spinach prefers moist (but not wet) soil, and plant in full sun. When seedlings emerge, thin the spinach out so that the plants are spaced approximately two to three inches apart. (Spinach seedlings can be eaten.) If you want successive crops, plant a new batch of seeds every two weeks.
The biggest threat to spinach plants is insects and pests. Aphids and rabbits are especially harmful to spinach. Aphids spread viruses that damage and destroy spinach. If you discover aphids on your spinach plants, hose the insects off immediately or use nature insect repellents. Rabbits, like people, also find spinach to be especially tasty. Use fencing or chicken wire to prevent rabbits from invading your garden. You can also attach aluminum pie pans to sticks. The noise will scare rabbits and other animals away. Over-watering can also pose a risk to spinach because excessive moisture can allow fungal growths, including downy mildew (blue mold) and fusarium wilt.
Harvesting Spinach
The most popular varieties of spinach (Bloomsdale long standing, winter Bloomsdale, Indian summer, melody, tyee, Vienna, giant noble, and Olympia) mature between thirty-nine and forty-eight days. Spinach can be harvested as soon as individual leaves grow large enough to use in different recipes. Smaller leaves are best for salads while medium to large leaves are great for cooking. To harvest spinach, cut or pluck the leaves from the stems. You may also harvest the entire plant by cutting at or below the soil level. If you cut above the soil, the plant may send out new shoots. Harvest the entire plant as soon as seed stalks begin to form because the quality and flavor of the leaves will deteriorate quickly at this point. At the end of the growing season, remove the entire spinach plant from the ground. Spinach can be eaten raw or cooked and can be frozen for later use.
Spinach is an exceptionally nutritious leafy green vegetable that can be grown from late winter through the fall. Gardening spinach to add the nutritious plant to your diet is easy with these simple instructions and tips.
Sources
- Growing Spinach
- The Gardener’s Network; How to Grow Spinach, Growing Spinach Plants; Accessed November 06, 2011.
- Self nutrition Data; Nutrition Facts and Analysis for Spinach, Raw; Accessed November 06, 2011.
- University of Illinois Extension; Spinach – Watch Your Garden Grow; Accessed November 06, 2011.
Heather Marie Kosur - About Me I earned a BA in English studies with a minor in creative writing from Illinois State University in May 2007 and an MS in ...
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