Organic Spinach Gangbusters – Renee’s Garden
Spinacia oleracea
Longstanding Spinach
EXCLUSIVE –Â Fast-growing and weather tolerant new spinach with juicy thick leaves and especially tasty mild sweet flavor. Pick individual leaves or cut whole plants over a long harvest season.
| Â Plant In | Sun/Shade | Planting Depth | Space Seeds | Days to Germinate | Days to Harvest |
| Feb.-May Aug.-Sept. | Full sun | 1/2 in. | 1 in. | 5 – 10 days | 35 – 42 days |
START SEEDS OUTDOORS
In early spring when danger of hard frost is over, sow seeds in well-worked fertile soil in full sun. Sow seeds 1 in. apart and 1/2 in. deep in rows 10 in. apart, or broadcast thinly for bed planting. Be sure to firm the soil well over seeds to ensure good germination. If first sowing germinates unevenly, plant more seeds as they will catch up fast.
GROWING NOTES
Spinach is most productive grown in cool spring conditions and sown again in late summer for a fall crop. After seedlings reach 2 to 3 in. tall, thin out every other plant (and enjoy in early salads) and keep thinning in this fashion until plants are spaced 5 to 6 in. apart. Keep the shallow-rooted plants well weeded and watered. Spinach is a heavy feeder so fertilize several times with fish emulsion solution for best harvest.
HARVEST AND USE
There are two methods for harvesting spinach; either cut the entire plant 1 in. above the base once plants are 4 or 5 in. tall, or wait until plants are well established and harvest just the outer leaves, leaving at least 4 center leaves so plant will continue to grow. Water and fertilize after cutting and plants will provide 2 or 3 pickings before weather gets too warm and spinach begins to go to seed.
