When to Plant Spinach Seeds
Spinach is a cold-hardy, tender-leafed crop. Direct sow in early Spring, as soon as the soil can be properly worked. For a Fall harvest, plant again in late Summer, ensuring that soil temperatures are cool enough.
Where to Plant Spinach Seeds
Plant your Spinach in a sunny location, in average, well-draining soil.
How to Plant Spinach Seeds
Sow about 12 seeds per foot in a row, or sprinkle over a wide row or bed. Sow seeds ½ inch deep, compress gently into soil, and water lightly. Seedlings emerge in about 7-14 days, depending on conditions. Soil should stay below 70º F for good germination. When seedlings are about 1 - 2 inches tall, thin them to be about 4 - 6 inches apart. Please note, do not thin baby spinach.
How to Care for Spinach
Keep plants well-watered during dry periods to help promote growth. Plants need about 1 inch of rain per week during the growing season. If watering with overhead sprinklers, water early in the day so the foliage has time to dry off before evening, to minimize disease problems.
How to Harvest Spinach
Harvest once the outer leaves reach 3 inches in length, your to your desired size. You can harvest the whole plant all at once and cut at the base, or leaves can be picked off one layer at a time. Don’t wait too long to harvest, or wait for larger leaves, as the leaves can quickly become bitter after maturity.
