Spinach is high in important nutrients like vitamin A, C, K, magnesium and iron
Fast-growing crop that you can start in early spring
A great early fall crop as well
New varieties include those that are slow to bolt, you’ll be able to plant spinach in warmer months
You can direct sow, and replant every 3 weeks to have continuous greens
How to start seeds
Plant in rich soil that is moist, like a well-rung out cloth
Plant in early spring all the way until early fall
Direct plant or start indoors
Needs cool soil to germinate, cool the soil in the summer by watering regularly and shading the soil
If you’re planting in the summer, look for bolt resistant varieties
Tips for growth
Keep shaded and cool during the summer
Plant taller plants like tomatoes, sunflowers, beans or peas to naturally shade the soil
Harvest the leaves regularly to prevent bolting
Harvesting
Pick the outside, older leaves first
Pick at the end of the stem or cut the whole plant at the base
You will get a 2nd harvest, although possibly a bit smaller
Saving Seeds
If you’re planning on saving seeds, make sure you only have one variety of spinach going to seed
Spinach will cross with other varieties if grown at the same time
Spinach plants are also dioecious, meaning that there are separate male and female plants, rather than monoecious where the male and female parts are on one plant
Spinach will bolt, meaning that it goes to seed
Leave the flowers on the spinach until they are well dried out
Snipe off the flower stalk and shake into a bag
Label with the variety and year and store in a cool dark place
