How to Grow Spinach in Home?

How to Grow Spinach in Home?

Spinach is a vegetable that is green and leafy. It contains a lot of vitamins and minerals. If you want to eat spinach regularly, you can grow it at home. Let's learn how to grow spinach in your home.

Common Spinach is a leafy green vegetable that contains high amounts of vitamins and minerals. If you want to eat spinach regularly, growing it at home can be easier than buying it from the supermarket.

This superfood has long been associated with health benefits. The leaves contain essential nutrients such as vitamin K, folate, iron and calcium. They also contain antioxidants that fight against cancer.

You can easily grow common spinach indoors at home using seeds or plants. In addition, you can harvest it throughout the year to get regular supply.

Preparatory notes for Growing Spinach at home in India

Sowing season for Spinach at home is between November and March. It won't grow well in hot weather.

Spinach needs a well-drained soil rich with organic matter. Compost or Manure with a pH of 6.5 to 7 is ideal.

It needs a temperature of 10°C to 22°C for germination.

It grows best under partial shade or indirect sunlight.

Avoid over-watering since spinach grows best in winter.

List of Diseases for Spinach:

    • Downy Mildew
    • Anthracnose
    • Cladosporium Leaf spot
    • Stemphylium leaf spot
    • Damping-off
    • Root Rot
Diseases for Spinach

List of Pests for spinach:

  • Cutworms
  • Flea Beetles
  • Slugs or Snails
  • Aphids
  • Leaf Miners
  • Leaf Miners

Varieties of Spinach to grow in India:

    • Savoy Spinach
    • Bloomsdale
    • Tyee
    • Regiment
    • Indian Summer
    • Catalina
    • Space Spinach
    • Red Carnival
    • New Zealand
    • Malabar Spinach
Savoy Spinach

Companion Plants to go with Spinach:

    • Asparagus
    • Brussel Sprouts
    • Cabbage
    • Celery
    • Dill
    • Eggplant
    • Lettuce
    • Onions
    • Peas
    • Peppers
    • Radishes
    • Strawberries
    • Tomatoes
Tomatoes

Materials Required for Growing Spinach

  • Spinach Seeds
  • Organic Manure
  • Soil
  • Pot (if indoors)
  • Gardening Tools
  • A happy mind ready to garden :-)

Step by Step Guide to Grow Spinach at Home

1. Prepare the soil with manure a week prior to planting the seeds

2. Sow the seeds 1/2 inch into the soil. Don't sow them too many inches deep. It won't grow.

3. Give 3 to 4 inches of gap between seeds.

4. Keep the soil moist at all times to ensure germination of seeds. Do not overwater. Water in the morning.

5. Keep the plants pruned to 2 to 3 inches.

6. Look out for pests and diseases.

7. Don't let spinach bolt or seed. Pull out the plants immediately.

8. Harvest spinach in 45 to 50 days.

FAQ on Growing Spinach at Home

When to plant spinach in India?

The sowing season for spinach plants is long, stretching from the last week in November through March of the following year.

Does spinach need soil to grow?

Yes! You will need moist but well-drained soil to grow spinach. Drier soils produce poor germination rates and stunts the growth process. Organic soil which is neither an acidic soil or an alkaline soil is the best choice. Cool soil is healthy soil. Use an adequate amount of organic compost in garden soil.

What should I use to sow spinach seeds?

Sow spinach seeds directly into pots filled with rich composted organic matter. Make sure to keep the seedlings moist until they germinate.

Can I grow spinach in containers?

Yes, but you may have to water them more frequently than if you were growing them in the ground.

How do I know when my spinach is ready?

It is best to harvest spinach before its first true leaves appear. This way, you'll reduce the risk of damaging tender young leaves. Don't let them grow fresh seed or flower. Too many hours of sunlight can cause spinach plants to seed quickly. Avoid a sunny spot for the plants. Ensure good soil, indirect sunlight and regular watering to get larger leaves. Harvest spinach crops them fully before late spring.

How to store spinach?

Store spinach leaves in bags in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

How do you grow spinach in soil?

If you are looking to grow spinach in soil, make sure to add plenty of fertilizer and manure. Ensure a healthy potting mix as necessary. You can get quality potting mix from online nurseries.

How to grow spinach in pots?

Fill a large container half full of soil. Add enough compost to cover the bottom of the container. Then, place spinach seeds in the center of the pot. Water the soil thoroughly to maintain a cool soil temperature. Keep the soil moist until germination time.  Once it reaches a healthy growth of spinach in container, you may consider repotting it to a large pot. Do not expose spinach to warm weather because warmer weather will reduce germination rate. Spring harvest is ideal. If needed, add a shade cloth.

How to grow Spinach Indoors?

Plant spinach seeds in small pots that hold about 2 cups of soil. Fill each pot with 1 cup of soil mixed with 3 tablespoons of fertilizer. Sow spinach seeds in early spring. When the seeds begin to sprout, thin out weak seedlings so only one remains per pot. After the spinach has been harvested, discard any remaining roots.

How to Grow Spinach Indoors in Containers?

Fill a large pot (like a wheelbarrow) with rich composted organic material. Place a piece of cardboard inside the pot and fill the rest of the space with soil. Plant spinach seeds in the middle of the pot. Water thoroughly and then cover the pot with a clear polyethylene bag secured by rubber bands around the top

How do you grow spinach from seed indoors?

Follow these steps:

1. Prepare a warm environment for growth. Seedlings require temperatures between 65°F and 75°F. If you live in an area where winter temperatures fall below 55°F, consider purchasing heat mats to protect seedlings during cold weather. Spinach requires a cool weather to grow.

2. Gather supplies. Purchase a starter kit containing a variety of different types of seeds.

3. Select a location for planting. A partial shade or indirect sunlight window sill works well, but be sure to provide adequate ventilation.

4. Prepare the bed. Thoroughly clean the surface of the bed and prepare it with a layer of sand or gravel.

5. Mix the soil. Use a mixture of equal parts peat moss, organic manure, and loam soil.

6. Carefully plant the seeds. Using a flat-bladed knife, carefully cut a hole in the prepared bed. Drop seeds into the hole, making sure there is no air pocket underneath the seed. Firm the soil gently around the seeds.

7. Cover the seeds. Fold a sheet of newspaper over the seeds, tucking the edges under the soil. Secure the paper with tape. Monitor the germination process.

8. Mist the plants. Spray the plants daily with water using a misting sprayer. Do not over water spinach plants.

9. Monitor the plants. Check the soil regularly and remove weeds. If necessary, use a hand hoe to lightly scratch the surface of the soil.

10. Harvest the plants. As soon as the first true leaf appears, pick the spinach leaves.

Should I soak spinach seeds before planting?

No need to soak spinach seeds before planting. The seeds are ready to go when they have sprouted.

How long does it take for spinach to mature?

Spinach can be harvested within 30 days after planting. It should reach maturity in 45 to 50 days.

How to cook spinach?

Wash spinach thoroughly. Remove stems and chop coarsely. Cook spinach in boiling salted water until wilted. Drain and serve hot. You can also steam spinach. Do not cook spinach in a pressure cooker as it tends to turn poisonous.

How much room do spinach plants need?

Space spinach plants about 3 to 4 inches apart.

Can I eat spinach raw?

Yes, you can eat spinach raw. However, it will taste better if cooked.

How many times can I harvest spinach?

You can harvest spinach up to six times per season.

Is spinach safe to eat?

Yes, spinach is very nutritious and contains high levels of vitamins C, K, and A. It is also low in calories.

Where can I buy spinach seeds?

You can buy spinach seeds from our online nursery.

Is spinach easy to grow?

Yes, spinach grows easily. In fact, it’s one of the easiest vegetables to grow.

What size container to grow spinach?

A 10-inch pot is suitable for growing spinach.

Do I need special nutrients to grow spinach?

No, spinach needs only ordinary garden compost.

Can I grow other greens like kale, lettuce, and chard together with spinach?

Yes, you could grow all three together. Just make sure that you don’t let them get too big.

Why is spinach called ‘spinach’?

The word “spina” means spine in Latin. Spinach was originally grown by monks who used to cultivate it in their monasteries. They ate it because it helped strengthen their spines.

How to grow spinach without seeds?

Just cut all the roots from the spinach. Replant them in your garden or in your pot.

How to grow spinach in water?

It is possible to grow spinach in water. Simply place the whole plant in a large bowl filled with water.

Water spinach plants grow in water. The plants have long stems, measuring about 2-3 meters or even longer. The stems are hollow and can float, rooting at the nodes.

Take cuttings from another plant.

Cuttings should be at least 2 to 3 inches long.

Place the cuttings in water.

Put the stem side down.

Water spinach will start rooting in two to three days.

Next step 

Gardener services 

Landscaping services 

Online nursery 

Further reading 

Vegetable seed online

Gardening tips

Vegetables to grow in January

How to grow a plant

How to grow plants from seeds in Bangalore step by step

 

Happy Gardening!
Dr. Vandana K.