How to Grow Spinach for Beginners
Did you know that spinach is number 10 on the 2013 dirty dozen list? What that means is that spinach is 1 out of 12 fruits and vegetables that have high pesticide levels. Knowing this, you have a couple of options to avoid those potentially harmful pesticides.
The first option, which is also the more expensive of the two, is to buy organic spinach. Another option is to actually grow your own spinach. What is great about option number 2 is that right now is the perfect time to start growing spinach.
5 Tips for Growing Spinach
Spinach flourishes in cooler weather and is an excellent source of a number of essential nutrients including Vitamin A and Vitamin C. The green leafy plant is also a favorite of many in salads as one cup contains only 7 calories. Here are 5 tips for growing this vitamin-packed healthy green vegetable:
- Purchase New Seeds
Once you have decided to grow spinach, purchase the seeds. Even if you have seeds left over from last season, it is best to purchase new seeds for this season. Spinach seeds do not store well. - Location
Decide on a location in your garden that receives full sun to part shade. If you don’t have a garden in the conventional sense, but instead a container garden, make sure the pot you use for spinach is 2 feet deep. - The Soil
The Old Farmer’s Almanac suggests that the soil should not be warmer than 70 degrees for germination. For best results, Organic Gardner recommends using nitrogen-rich soil. You can increase the nitrogen in your soil by adding compost or composted manure. Prior to planting the seeds, make sure to loosen the soil about a foot deep. This will give the spinach roots the right kind of soil needed to grow deep and strong. - Planting
Plant your seeds 6 weeks before the anticipated first frost. Sow each seed in a bed or row about 2 inches apart and a half an inch deep. Plan to sow approximately 12 seeds per row foot. You can also sprinkle seeds over a wide row or garden bed. - Install a Direct to Root Watering System
We have found one of the best ways to water vegetables is by installing the direct to root watering system, Rootsticks. Healthy roots directly affect the health, stability, and strength of the plant. The best way to encourage root growth is by providing water at the source.
So, What do you think?
Would you like to try growing spinach this fall?
