Spinach seedlings3/1/2023 ![]() ![]() Harvest dark green, tender leaves that are 3 to 6 inches long by picking or cutting individual leaves. Spinach should be ready to harvest in about 37 to 45 days after planting. Do not move soil toward the plants because spinach leaves that are covered by soil will rapidly rot. Do not cultivate deeply as this will damage the roots. Weeds in the area can be controlled by using shallow cultivation. Spinach requires a consistent supply of moisture to produce a high-quality crop. Light sprinklings will encourage shallow rooting of the plants. Water the garden sufficiently to moisten the soil to a depth of 6 inches. This will reduce the development of foliar diseases. The garden should be watered in the morning so that the foliage is dry before dark. Water the garden to provide a uniform moisture supply to the crop. If fertilizer is broadcast, avoid burning the plant foliage by watering overhead after the application to wash fertilizer granules off the leaves. To avoid burning the roots, side-dress fertilizer 4 to 6 inches away from the plants. On sandier soil, this may need to be split into two applications. Side dress 1 pound of calcium nitrate (15.5-0-0) per 100 square feet (30 feet of row) three to four weeks after planting. Working the fertilizer into the soil ensures that the nutrients are available to the plants when they are seeded or transplanted. ![]() Broadcast the fertilizer evenly and incorporate it into the soil by tilling or disking to a depth of around 6 inches. Lime is best applied and tilled into the garden at least 3 months before planting. Spinach is sensitive to acidic soils therefore, follow the results of a soil test to maintain a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0.Īpply lime and pre-plant fertilizer according to soil test recommendations. Information on soil testing is available in HGIC 1652, Soil Testing. Justin Ballew, ©2020 Clemson Extension FertilizingĪ soil test is always the best method of determining the fertilization needs of the crop. Whale: savoy type, downy mildew resistant, slow boltingįresh leaves harvested from Bloomsdale spinach.Tyee: Semi-savoy, downy mildew resistant.Resistance to downy mildew is another important characteristic in a spinach variety. Bolting is the formation of the flower stalk. Slow-bolting is an important varietal characteristic for overwintered and spring plantings. The savoy characteristic refers to the amount of leaf crinkle. ![]() Most spinach that is grown in South Carolina is of the semi-savoy type. Raised beds that are approximately 3 inches high are good because the improved drainage may reduce the incidence of damping-off of young seedlings. Spinach seed that is more than a year old does not germinate well. It is important to use new, fresh seed each year. Seed can also be broadcast on 12-inch wide beds. Plant seed ½ inch deep and firm the soil over the seed to help ensure germination. Plant spinach seed in rows 1 to 3 feet apart, spacing seed 2 inches apart in the row. Soil temperature above 85 ☏ will inhibit seed germination. The optimum soil temperature for spinach seed germination is 70 ☏. Plant spinach in early spring to avoid high temperatures and long days, which cause the plants to bolt, or form flower stalks. Spinach grows well on a variety of soils, but it prefers a fertile sandy loam high in organic matter. Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a hardy, cool-season crop that can be planted in early spring or fall throughout South Carolina.īarbara H. ![]()
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