How To Grow Organic Spinach?

WHEN TO PLANT

• If you’re growing organic spinach, it grows best in the cooler weather at the beginning and end of your area’s growing season
• Spinach seed can be planted once the ground is workable (which may be up to 8 weeks before last frost date)
• Longer days cause spinach to go to seed (bolting) more rapidly, so planting spinach as early as possible is advised
• Consecutively plant spinach every 7 to 10 days during the early spring
• Stop planting once the warm weather plants go outside (such as peppers and tomatoes)
• You can start growing spinach again in late summer for a fall crop.

WHERE TO PLANT

• Growing spinach works best in full sun in early spring
• As spring progresses, plant consecutive plantings in partial shade to protect the plants from the increasing heat, and to slow the bolting process
• Plant spinach behind a crop like corn or pole beans that will grow taller than your spinach

PREPARING THE SOIL

• Spinach has a deep tap root so till the soil at least 12″ deep
• Provide generous amounts of organic matter to keep the soil well-aerated
• Although spinach will grow in a wide variety of soils, it performs best in rich, organic matter such as compost with the addition of alfalfa meal
• Prepare your planting area in the fall so you can plant seeds in the spring as soon as the ground thaws
• The optimal pH levels for growing spinach should be between 6.5 and 7.5

SEEDS AND GERMINATION

• Your seeds should be good for up to 5 years after your purchase date if they’re stored in a cool, dry, location
• Once you’ve planted your spinach, it typically takes about 43 to 50 days until your plants are mature
• For a higher germination rate, place spinach seeds between wet paper towels and place in a Zip-loc bag; keep the bag in the refrigerator for 5-7 days
• Seeds will germinate best when daytime temperatures are around 60ºF; the young plants will tolerate nighttime temperatures as low as 40ºF
• When temperatures rise shade the soil until germination

GETTING STARTED INDOORS (and transplanting)

• Seeds can be started in flats 3-4 weeks before the last frost date in temperatures 70ºF or below
• For quicker germination, see the chilling method in the above section titled “Seeds and Germination”

SOWING AND GROWING (Planting seeds directly into the garden)

• Rather than planting a large spinach crop in early spring (unless you’re planning to freeze spinach for later eating), we recommend planting smaller batches every 7 to 10 days. This will provide you maximum availability of fresh spinach
• If a frost is predicted after planting, cover with a row cover and welcome the frost as temperature drops mean sweeter spinach
• In more temperate climates, the use of a cold frame can help you plant spinach crops year around
• In warmer climates spinach plants need shelter from the sun
• Plant spinach in the shade of taller crops such as corn or pole beans
• Thin young seedlings to 6” apart once two true leaves have formed
• Once plants develop four true leaves give them a boost of fish emulsion or foliar fertilizer to promote new growth and a sweeter leaf
• Jenny’s Tip: We discovered a new liquid organic leaf spray fertilizer this year called Organic Garden Miracle™ – this product increases plant sugar production in your plant, naturally. Plant sugar makes a stronger, bigger, better and sweeter plant. You might want to check it out.
• Remove large developed leaves to postpone bolting
• Remove any brown leaves; these are not good for eating and sap the plant of it’s strength
• If leaves become large and only a few tender leaves are forming, cut the entire plant 1” above soil level; this will encourage the plant to grow another crop of leaves
• When bolting, the plant will begin to form a center stalk. At this stage leaves become bitter tasting
• When growing spinach in late summer, plant more seeds than you did in the spring; the increased heat causes germination to be more sporadic

WATERING

• Keep moisture levels moist but not soggy
• Allowing soil to dry out will encourage plants to bolt

COMPANION PLANTING / ROTATION

• Growing spinach in your garden benefits most succeeding crops (except legumes) planted in the same location

WHEN TO HARVEST

• Harvesting can begin once the plant has developed at least 6 leaves, usually 6-8 weeks after planting
• Pick leaves from the outside of the plant as soon as they are big enough to use (think of baby spinach leaves)

STORAGE

• Spinach can be dried in a food dehydrator
• Dry unwashed leaves until they break easily and store in a paper bag or container
• Avoid folds in the leaves
• Spinach can also be frozen
• Blanche 1 to 2 minutes, then cool, place in quart size Zip-loc bags and store in freezer

COMMON PESTS AND PROBLEMS

• Since spinach grows best in very cool temperatures, pests are usually not an issue
• If any spotted cucumber beetles are present, handpick them off the plant and destroy them
• Over-watering spinach leads to mildew problems

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