No matter which part of the allium family it falls into, youll discover them here! Place the cut ends into a paper towel to help absorb any excess moisture, and store your spinach in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Sowing depth: Twice the height of the seed. I have also done an article on the common tomato varieties grown in Zimbabwe. Consistent soil moisture is important when you grow spinach. Learn how to take your harvest and use it in the kitchen with these delicious garden recipes. The best defense against them is fencing. Here's how: Aim to plant spinach seeds that are less than a year old, as the germination rate falls the older seeds get. Perhaps it is for the lack of English names, but the vegetables are easily recognizable in local languages. From seed to harvest, youre looking at about 40 days. Most grow well in Utah. That means it needs at least three to four hours of direct sun on most days, though it could use some protection from strong afternoon sun. And it can help to deter pests from munching on your crop. Such vegetables form a huge part of the Zimbabwean diet daily. To dry your spinach, follow the manufacturers directions on your dehydrator or freeze dryer. Once the Spinach seedlings have emerged, thin them to 4 to 6 inches apart. I love to grow spinach in my raised beds, but you can also grow spinach in containers that are at least 6 deep. If you fertilize with compost, apply no more than 1 inch of well-composted organic matter per 100 square feet of garden area. Often the leaves are smooth and medium to dark green in color. Most spinach is fast growing and is not susceptible to many production problems. Flowers are generally a sign that spinach is coming to the end of its life cycle. However, its important to note that seeds do not germinate well at soil temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit. On average, 450 grams of mature microgreens can go for about US$50 . Keep the soil moist until seed germination occurs, which usually takes 7-10 days. Small black beetle that feed on seedlings. Regular, shallow waterings that keep the soil moist are better than one heavy watering. Spinach will easily over-winter for an early spring crop if the plant has 4-5 true leaves formed late in the year. For maximum results, it is best to use modern farming approaches. They can quickly bolt, resulting in bittered leaves and failing plants. The seeds can take more than 10 days to germinate, so don't worry if your plants are slow to appear, just keep the soil damp, but not wet, until they're up. Grow spinach in full sun to partial shade. Microgreens are young vegetables typically 2.5 to 7.5 centimetres in height. Once you feel resistance when gently tugging on the stem, you'll know a strong root system has formed. Root vegetables may not be glamorous, but theyre fascinating and delicious. Well-draining soil is essential for your spinach plants, as they wont tolerate much standing water. (Taking stem cuttings typically isn't successful.) Spinach is one of the best cool-weather crops that you can grow. Instead, sow seeds. Larger leaves can be torn up if desired. Spinach can be eaten fresh or cooked. Hydroponics not only manage their own water irrigation, but many of them include growing lights as well. Get daily tips and expert advice to help you take your cooking skills to the next level. they contain Vitamins A, B, and C plus fibre and other essential minerals. Orfour hands of kraal manure or compost for every square metre of soil. Spinach can be planted in most areas of the yard which get at least six hours of sunlight per day. If you want to have a consistent harvest and are in an area where a long, cool spring is likely, you can sow seeds every ten days or so to maintain regular new growing spinach. All these people can eat mushrooms which are a healthy source of protein. Plus, wild animals, rabbits chief among them, also might raid your spinach patch. Soil improvement encompasses a whole lot more than just adding a bag of potting mix and hoping for the best! If you plan on using your spinach within six months time, you do not have to blanch it before freezing. Your guide to summers finest fruits awaits you. Seeded spinach may be planted 3-4 weeks earlier. Many people prefer to wait until their plant has developed some good leaf growth, but spinach can also be grown as a sprout or as microgreens. Wash it just before its eaten fresh to prevent bruising or leaf breakage. Soft-bodied or shelled mollusks that chew holes in leaves. Gently pull it out of the ground, keeping the roots as intact as possible. Add humus and earthworms, Santa Gertrudis bulls: tested for two decades, Scepticism abounds over Zimbabwes compensation offer to farmers, Plant health: Protect your canola from blackleg, Produce shortage prompts rationing of purchases by stores in UK, Cucurbits: A fascinating history of cultivation for over 11 000 years, Husqvarna: Innovative, durable tools for agriculture, Another challenging pome fruit season ahead. As the weather warms, spinach plants will bolt, or send up a flower spike and go to seed. Spinach does not transplant well, so it is best to direct sow your spinach seeds into rich, organic garden soil. If you are using fertiliser, use one handful for every square metre of soil. Q: Should you soak spinach before planting? However, they have some clear differences. Its possible to transplant spinach I just dont recommend it if it was initially grown in a container! Our tips and tricks will help you to keep the fruits of your labor fresh and tasty for a longer period of time! Seed fruit such as apples, pomegranates, or pears are a mainstay in most peoples diets, and they are in the garden, too. Zimbabwe is the biggest producer of tobacco on the African continent. Spinach is a cool weather crop that doesnt grow well in hot summer months when the days are long. This will help to promote healthy foliage growth. Epic Gardening: Simple, Practical Gardening Tips, Monterey BT Caterpillar Killer (Bacillus thuringiensis), Knautia: Perfect Perennial Cut Flowers For Pollinators, Rubber Plant: How To Grow Ficus Elastica The Right Way, Prickly Pear Plants: How To Grow These Spiny Foods, Agastache Aurantiaca: How To Grow Hummingbird Mint, The 50 Best Greenhouse Plants To Grow Each Year, How To Winterize Fabric Pots To Extend The Season, Homemade Kyopolou: Delicious Bulgarian Garden Recipe, Phytophthora Infestans: How To Control Late Blight, About 1 per week; keep the soil moist but not waterlogged; medium soil moisture, Flea beetles, spider mites, aphids, cutworms, armyworms, leaf miners, slugs, snails, Downy mildew, powdery mildew, white rust, anthracnose, cercospora leaf spot, spinach blight, fusarium wilt. For faster germination, place the container in a warm location and cover with plastic. Will my spinach die? However, for spinach bits to add to soups, or for powdered spinach to add to smoothies or other recipes or to make baby food from, this works extremely well. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Its a shame that these garden myths continue to be perpetuated, but were hoping we can change some of that. In the right conditions, spinach grows into a very hardy plant. Avoid water or fertilizer stress during growth. There are a million ways to use your homegrown food! Do so with caution, and be sure that none of the granules touches the plant or the root structure. Be careful: crowding spinach plants will result in weak plants, stunted growth, and quick bolting. Plant spinach where it will receive full sun to partial shade. Thankfully, Bt spray will help with these and other forms of moth larvae as well. In this case, it may be better to grow spinach indoors. Spinach: a step-by-step guide on how to grow it, How to make a simple, sturdy plastic tunnel at minimal cost, Pest and disease control in pearl millet production. Legumes are staples in most peoples diets for a reason: these protein-packed seeds sustain life even when the going gets rough. Control insects and diseases throughout the year. They are used daily by most families. Space rows 12 to 14 inches (30-35cm) apart. Typically, you can harvest spinach four to six weeks after planting seeds. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. He is also a Data Analyst, Virtual Assistant, and Researcher. Then, place about a pound of spinach at a time into a cheesecloth bag and steam it until its thoroughly wilted. The great thing about such vegetables is that they can be successfully propagated through the greenhouse or otherwise. How about sweet potatoes? You can find tips on how to compost in our guide. Whether its hot composting, vermicomposting, bokashi, or another method, you need to be doing this essential gardening technique to boost your soil. Globally we are the sixth biggest producer. For now, feel free to continue reading. Spinach grows best in temperatures between 25F and 75F. Mulch around the plant also helps conserve soil moisture and reduce weed growth. Your email address will not be published. Once seedlings have grown their first set of true leaves, thin the plants to around 6 inches apart. Disclosure. You also can cut down the whole plant at once if you want a large harvest. Plant spinach seeds as soon as the ground can be worked in the early spring is the best way to get a full crop before the weather starts to get hot. Control beetles with appropriate insecticides at seeding or after seedlings have emerged from the soil. To freeze spinach, begin by thoroughly washing the leaves. Not only that, but small grains are also sought-after for common processes such as beer making or manufacturing and stock feed production, amongst others. If the temperature is cold enough that its snowing, you should protect your plants with a cold frame. For this top dressing, use either chicken manure or LAN applied between the rows and work it in lightly. When is the best time to plant spinach? You can harvest at least 12000 cucumbers from it. Required fields are marked *. He is an expert Business & Finance Copywriter. Yellowed leaves can indicate nitrogen deficiency. If the leaves are not going to be used immediately, bunch them and put them in water to keep them fresh for longer. Hot weather will rapidly cause most growing spinach plants to turn to seed production, which reduces the quality of the leaves for eating purposes. So lets talk about how to grow spinach, and the best ways to produce a big supply of this nutritional powerhouse! Plants that have spinach blight should be removed and destroyed. Spinach needs around six weeks of cool temperatures to grow from seed to maturity. Farmers can sow other plants between the rows of spinach plants. You really want well-draining soil that isnt too soggy, but that also can hold some water for the plants to use. How to grow spinach: Plant spinach at the right time Spinach can be grown in almost any climate if grown at the right time. Rich in complex B vitamins, as well as vitamins K, A, and many more, spinach is one of the healthiest greens available to us. Spinach is a cool-season vegetable that prefers sunny locations and fertile, well-drained soil. They are known as mchicha in Tanzania, mowa in Zimbabwe, umfino in South Africa, bonongwe in Zambia and Malawi, efo tete in Nigeria,and alefu in Ghana. The most elementary approach is to simply grow any of these crops at your homestead and supply your immediate community. They are commonly found as a medicinal herb or in the "whole food" sections of African supermarkets. Generally, anything below 40 degrees is best protected from the chill in the air. He has worked with individuals, small to medium enterprises, and large corporations in Zimbabwe & various countries. Cucumbers are perfect here because they are widely consumed in Zimbabwe. The higher nitrogen content in these fertilizers can cause scorching. Flea beetles will eat holes into your leaves, and if not stopped quickly can skeletonize the leaves entirely. Youll find most large-pitted fruits in this category! Q: How do you know when spinach is ready to harvest? You also can use a window box for a few plants, depending on their mature size. Niching and market targeting can be done in so many ways. Happy farming! They take between 80 and 85 days to mature. If I had to tell you just one area of crop farming to get into that would be vegetable farming. You can harvest about 15 tonnes of green beans per hectare. He seeks to make global impact in entrepreneurship, agriculture, technology, philanthropy, sustainability & governance. Let us help you figure out whats best for your needs! Here I am concerned with the former drought-resistant crops. Our in-depth guides explain your options and help you determine the best ones for your needs. Honestly, this is a great veggie to grow if you have an area that gets partial shade. As you harvest from mature spinach plants, find a stem that has roots. I highly recommend farming tomatoes using greenhouses. You can add salt if you want (about a quarter teaspoon per pint). Growing spinach in containers is a great way to keep it easily accessible for harvesting. That means you should plant seeds in the garden as soon as the soil is workable in the spring. Weather conditions may also be to blame. Rugare,covo, rape, choumoellier orchomolia, and Ethiopian mustard greensare the names commonly used for greens in Botswana, Zambia,Zimbabwe, and Tanzania. I, like anyone of you, would concur, believe that we should not import maize when we are endowed with so much land. Most soils in Utah are well suited for spinach production. Remove any diseased plants and destroy them. Thin seedlings or transplant spinach to 3 inches apart in the row with rows 12 inches apart. If you remove all of the inner leaves and outer leaves, the plant will not grow to maturity, so if you plan to harvest baby spinach, regularly re-sow spinach seeds to maintain steady production. The purple varieties with bigger leaves should not be consumed. Spinach is fast-growing and can be ready to harvest in as little as one month after it's planted as seed. However, you will want to discard damaged leaves rather than eat them. Spinach tastes best when plants grow rapidly and mature before the heat of summer. 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