Growing Spinach

This page talks about growing spinach. For our model we will be using the 7-Green (F1) variety (pictured at the right). The 7-Green is the fastest growing smooth leaf.

It produces medium-large, upright plants that bear productive yields of mildly flavored, medium green smooth leaves. They are moderately slow bolting. Suitable for spring, summer or fall planting. Days to Maturity: 36

Spinach grows in a wide range of soils if moist and fertile, but is sensitive to acidity. pH should be at least 6.0, preferably 6.5-7.5.

Growing spinach seeds germinate best in cool soil. Begin sowing in early spring as soon as the ground is ready. Summer sowing in hot soil-over 85°F (30°C)-risks low or erratic germination! Sow late in July into September for the Fall crop.

Spinach can also be planted from September until freeze-up for an early harvest the following spring; floating row covers offer effective winter protection.

For bunching and full size spinach sow about 9-10 seeds/ft., 1/2" deep, rows 12-18" apart. Harvest spinach full size but before bolting, cutting just below root attachment for "rooted spinach," or cut higher for "clipped spinach."

For salad mix (small clipped leaves sow in a 2-4" wide band, 3/4" apart, about 40 seeds/ft. Clip small leaves in 3-5 weeks, depending on time of year and speed of growth.

Triple-rinse leaves, sort out cut and broken leaves, and package. For a continuous supply, sow every 7 days.

Leaves can be washed, dried, microwaved for a minute then put in a baggie and stored in the freezer, but only if you intend to cook them.

If you want to eat them in a salad, store them at 32°F (0°C) and 95% humidity 10-14 days in the salad crisper portion of your refrigerator.

I have started seeds indoors and will try to grow some inside in containers. Due to our lack of sunshine over the past three weeks, I have had to replant my seeds because they were not growing correctly. When growing spinach indoors, plant in Cow pots, about 1/2 deep. Put three to four seeds in each pot. You may have to thin later, but putting three to four seeds guarantees that some will sprout.

Sometimes I get 100% germination, sometimes I do not.

Spinach is a leafy green vegetable that grows best in cool weather. Usually thought of as being packed with iron, spinach is even higher in vitamins A and C, thiamin, potassium and folic acid. Spinach also contains the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin.

My family likes to eat it fresh, not cooked. I never did like it cooked myself but do not eat it fresh either. I do like it in a dip and on pizza.

To follow along with us, visit our page on How to Grow Spinach. Here we have/will post pictures, videos and status reports on our 7-Green Spinach.

Thank you for your visit.

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