How to Grow Spinach: Growing Guide

One of our favourite plants to grow during the cool Spring season is spinach! It’s super easy to grow, making it perfect for beginners, but there’s one catch, spinach tends to bolt quickly (go to seed) once the weather heats up. That means we have to harvest it on time before it turns bitter. Since we grow spinach in nearly all our garden beds, we often end up with a big harvest all at once. But don’t worry, we make sure none of it goes to waste! After harvesting, we freeze spinach to preserve it for later use, and in this blog post, we’ll show you exactly how to do that. Plus, you’ll learn everything you need to know to successfully grow spinach from seed to harvest. Let’s get started!

Spinach is a nutritious and versatile leafy green that thrives in cool weather, making it an excellent choice for gardeners in cool climates. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about growing spinach, from planting to harvesting.

Quick growing guide:

Recommended spinach varieties:

Not all spinach varieties are created equal. Here are some that do particularly well in Zone 5b:

• Bloomsdale longstanding: Classic variety, known for its deep green, crinkly leaves and tolerance to cool weather. 40-50 days. (Our fave!)
• King of Denmark: s a hardy, heirloom variety known for its large, tender, and flavourful leaves. Ready in 45-55 days.
• Space spinach: Smooth leaf variety, great for both containers and garden beds. 37-45 days.
• Giant winter spinach: Perfect for fall planting, this variety thrives in cold temperatures and has large, tender leaves.50-60 days.

When to plant spinach:

• Spring Planting: Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date (usually mid-April in Zone 5b). You can also direct-sow seeds outdoors as soon as the soil is workable and temperatures are consistently above 35°F (1.5°C).
• Fall Planting: Sow seeds outdoors 6-8 weeks before your first frost date (usually early October). Spinach thrives in cooler weather, so fall plantings often produce sweeter leaves.

How to Grow Spinach

Spinach is hardy and relatively easy to grow, even for beginners. Follow these steps:

1. Choose planting spot

• Spinach needs at least 6 hours of sunlight daily, but it can tolerate partial shade, especially in late spring or summer when temperatures rise.

2. Prepare the soil

• Spinach thrives in loose, well draining soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
• Enrich the soil with organic compost or well rotted manure to improve fertility.
• If your soil is heavy clay, mix in some sand or peat moss to improve drainage.

3. Plant the seeds

• Sow seeds ½ inch deep and 2 inches apart in rows spaced 12-18 inches apart. Leave more room if you want larger plants.
• Keep the soil moist during germination, which takes about 7-14 days.

4. Watering spinach

• Spinach likes consistently moist soil but not soggy conditions. Water 1-1.5 inches weekly, or more during dry spells.
• Water at the base of the plant.

5. Fertilize for growth

• Use a nitrogen rich fertilizer like fish emulsion or blood meal every 2-3 weeks.
• Alternatively, mix organic amendments like compost, aged manure, or alfalfa meal into the soil before planting.

6. Thin or prune

• Once seedlings are 2-3 inches tall, thin them to 4-6 inches apart to give each plant room to grow.
• Thin spinach if you want a bigger plant, but if you want baby spinach, you can skip this step.
• Remove any yellowing or damaged leaves to keep the plant healthy.

7. Control pests and diseases

• Watch out for pests like aphids, slugs, and leaf miners. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil for control.
• Prevent diseases like downy mildew by ensuring proper spacing and watering at the base.

Growing spinach in containers

If you don’t have garden space, spinach grows well in containers! Here’s how:

• Use a pot at least 6-8 inches deep with good drainage holes.
• Fill with loose, nutrient rich potting soil.
• Follow the same planting and care steps as above, but check soil moisture more often since containers dry out faster.

Companion plants for spinach

Spinach grows well with certain plants that help repel pests or improve soil health. Great companions include:

• Radishes: These grow quickly and loosen the soil for spinach roots.
• Carrots: They have a similar growth cycle and don’t compete for nutrients.
• Strawberries: These deter some pests that harm spinach.
• Onions: Their strong smell helps repel pests like aphids.

Avoid planting spinach near potatoes or fennel, as they may stunt its growth.

Harvesting spinach

• Spinach is ready to harvest 40-50 days after planting or when the leaves are 3-4 inches long.
• Harvest outer leaves first, allowing the inner leaves to keep growing for continuous harvests.
• Avoid waiting too long, as spinach becomes bitter and bolts (produces flowers) in warm weather.

Storing spinach

• Wash spinach leaves thoroughly and pat them dry.
• Store in a resealable plastic bag or container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 7-10 days.
• For long term storage, blanch the leaves in boiling water for 2 minutes, then freeze.

Here’s how we flash boil spinach to freeze: step by step

1. Harvest and wash
   • Pick fresh, healthy spinach leaves from your garden.
   • Rinse the leaves thoroughly in cold water to remove dirt and any tiny bugs.

1. Boil water
   • Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil.

1. Prepare an ice bath
   • While the water is heating, fill a large bowl with ice water. This will be used to stop the spinach from overcooking after blanching.

1. Blanch the spinach
   • Add the spinach to the boiling water in small batches (don’t overcrowd the pot).
   • Let it boil for 2 minutes – just long enough to wilt and brighten the leaves.

1. Cool the spinach quickly
   • Use tongs or a slotted spoon to transfer the spinach immediately to the ice bath.
   • Let it sit in the ice water for 2-3 minutes to cool completely.

1. Drain and squeeze
   • Remove the spinach from the ice bath and place it in a colander.
   • Squeeze out as much excess water as possible using your hands or a clean kitchen towel.

1. Portion and pack
   • Divide the spinach into portions and pack them into containers or resealable freezer bags.
   • Flatten the bags to save space in your freezer.

1. Label and freeze
   • Label the bags with the date and place them in the freezer. Frozen spinach can last up to 12 months!

Now you have perfectly frozen spinach ready to use in soups, smoothies, stir-fries, or any recipe that calls for greens!

There’s something special about growing your own spinach in the cool, crisp air in Spring. Watching those vibrant green leaves unfurl in your garden is not only rewarding but also a step toward being self reliant.

What we love about spinach is it’s a nutritional powerhouse, packed with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron, calcium, and antioxidants that support your overall well being. After a long winter, it’s nice to finally get fresh greens grown from your garden.

The simple act of tending to spinach, planting the seeds, nurturing the soil, and reaping the harvest, is a reminder that the simple things in life are the greatest! So, if you’re considering what to plant this spring, let spinach be your go-to green. It’s easy to grow, incredibly versatile, and, most importantly, deliciously good for you.

Happy gardening 💚