Planting

Spinach

Planting Time Spinach loves cool weather. Plant it early spring or fall. Once it is hotter than a goat in a skillet, spinach will throw a fit, bolt skyward, and quit on you.

Depth & Spacing Plant seeds one-half inch deep and about four to six inches apart. Give each plant a little elbow room.

Soil & Fertilization Spinach wants rich, loose soil with lots of compost. Nitrogen early so the leaves grow big. Keep the soil fluffy, not heavy.

Watering Needs Water steady and deep. Keep soil evenly moist. Water at the base and keep leaves dry to avoid funky fungus.

Sunlight Requirements Full sun to partial shade. Give it some afternoon shade if temps spike.

Harvesting Start harvesting when leaves reach the size of your palm or bigger. Pick the outer leaves first and let the center keep growing. Do not wait too long or the leaves will taste bitter.

Troubleshooting Watch out for leaf miners, aphids, and varmints. Rotate crops yearly and keep the soil cool. If the plant starts stretching tall, it’s bolting—pull it and replant.

Captain Greenhouse Tip If your spinach bolts, pull it up, toss it to the chickens, and plant another round. Time your plantings early, late, and never in the heat.