Once theyre clean, remove any damaged, wilted, diseased or discolored leaves, and then dry the spinach leaves completely. But how do you harvest spinach for the best taste, and how long can you store it for? Spinach is one of the best cool-weather crops that you can grow. Control beetles with appropriate insecticides at seeding or after seedlings have emerged from the soil. Lightly pre-moisten the soil and fill the container. Thus if you have land in those regions or can find land there tobacco farming can be a wise crop farming choice. Side-dress your plants with compost tea or a nitrogen-rich liquid fertilizer regularly, and be sure to work ample amounts of compost into your beds before planting spinach. Marie's garden writing has been featured in newspapers and magazines nationwide and she has been interviewed for Martha Stewart Radio, National Public Radio, and numerous articles. Use floating row covers to exclude beetles from plants. Onions and leeks and chives, oh my! Legumes are staples in most peoples diets for a reason: these protein-packed seeds sustain life even when the going gets rough. No matter which part of the allium family it falls into, youll discover them here! However, you will want to discard damaged leaves rather than eat them. Because spinach is grown when the weather is cool and damp, several fungal diseases, such as downy mildew (blue mold) and fusarium wilt, can become problems. Spinach typically is grown from seeds, but it's also possible to propagate plants from stems you pull that still have roots attached. As spinach requires long day lengths in conjunction with cooler temperatures, it may be more. Removing any excess air from the bag will help reduce the potential of moisture buildup inside, too. The most elementary approach is to simply grow any of these crops at your homestead and supply your immediate community. Step 6:For a better crop, apply a top dressing about five weeks later as spinach needs a lot of nitrogen for good quality, broad leaves. They take between 80 and 85 days to mature. Organic mulches such as grass clippings, straw, and shredded newspapers also help control weeds. The plant is strong, has vigour and tends to exhibit open growth behaviour. Gardening tool reviews along with gardening product reviews of some of the most popular products on the market like the Aquafarm, Tower Garden, and much more. Water spinach frequently to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. As youre thinning the plants, you may be able to carefully coax the extra plants out and replant them elsewhere provided that you get the entire root mass, thereby increasing the number of spinach plants that you have. 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Honestly, this is a great veggie to grow if you have an area that gets partial shade. Some of the common ones are green vegetables (cabbage, covo, rape, spinach, and so on), tomatoes, onions, carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, green pepper, and so on. In Zimbabwe, the common varieties are the king onions and the spring onions. Spinach can be grown from seed or transplants. Spinach leaves are ovate, and arranged oppositely on soft green stems. Wash the leaves well, and allow them to dry before placing them in a freezer bag. Our guides will instruct you in growing your greens and reaping their nutrition-packed bounty! Your email address will not be published. To propagate Spinach by seed, sow the seeds in moistened soil about inch deep and 2 inches apart. Northern and eastern parts of Zimbabwe are the most suited for tobacco production. Some plants work well together, and others just dont. To harvest baby spinach leaves, wait until its formed a rosette of at least five to six inner leaves, and then harvest. The ideal planting site for spinach is fairly sunny with good soil drainage. No matter whether theyre huge like watermelons or tiny like lingonberries, youll find them here! Both of these can cause black, brown or yellow splotches to appear, and as the spots spread, they cause the plant to fail. Niching and market targeting can be done in so many ways. Plants that have spinach blight should be removed and destroyed. Vines produce all sorts of fruit from cucumbers to passion fruit. Its incredible nutritious, and contains a number of fat soluble vitamins that are essential to human health. Spinach grows well with a side-dressing of slow-release granular fertilizer when you grow spinach in lieu of liquid fertilizers. On average, 450 grams of mature microgreens can go for about US$50 that is good money. Repeat until no dirt or debris is visible in the water or in the bottom of the bowl. How to Grow Spinach Download Article parts 1 Choosing a Variety 2 Preparing Your Planting Area 3 Planting Your Spinach + Show 1 more. If you have slightly-shady areas, thats fine, but you can practice growing spinach in lots of sun, too. While zones 1 through 4 might need to wait another month or so, many of us can begin to get seeds started outdoors in the soil now. Sow seed 2 to 4 inches (5-10cm) apart. That means you should plant seeds in the garden as soon as the soil is workable in the spring. In a greenhouse measuring 8 metres by 25 metres, you can harvest over 10 tonnes of tomatoes. Growing spinach in raised beds, planters, or directly in the ground is best. Other greens come from naturally occurring foliage or shrubs. Lastly, add minced garlic. As you harvest from mature spinach plants, find a stem that has roots. As soon as your plant has a reasonable number of leaves, you can begin harvesting spinach either outer leaves or the entire plant can be harvested. The container must have drainage holes. Plus, hot weather will make it bolt and cause the remaining foliage to become bitter. Avoid water or fertilizer stress during growth. To clean it, fill a large bowl with cool water and place your spinach inside. He has worked with individuals, small to medium enterprises, and large corporations in Zimbabwe & various countries. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. More common African greens come from theleaves of root vegetables such as cassava, sweet potato, and cocoyam. Plant seeds inch deep, 2-3 weeks before the last frost in the spring. It's best to pot in a container that will accommodate the plant's mature size, as spinach doesn't like its roots disturbed in repotting. Bursting with juicy goodness, berries are one of the most favored fruits. You can also choose to settle for onions. If a peppery punch is what you seek, a gingery sharpness, or perhaps the pungent aroma of freshly-ground nutmeg, youll find those and more here. Spinach is a cool-season vegetable that prefers sunny locations and fertile, well-drained soil. Spinach needs at least 10 hours of sun per day to grow well. Good tools make the difference between an easy job and a hard one. The purple varieties with bigger leaves should not be consumed. Love citrus trees? Q: Are there good companion plants for spinach? Instead, place your greens into a resealable bag, and place them in the microwave for one minute, then directly into the freezer. Microgreens are young vegetables typically 2.5 to 7.5 centimetres in height. Call up your soil microbe army andwinthe battle for profit! Use fabric covers to protect seedlings and transplants from frost. Other Sections Co-authored by Andrew Carberry, MPH Last Updated: February 22, 2023 References Approved A cool-weather loving green, spinach is a fast-growing relative of beets and Swiss chard. The best temperature for growing spinach is between 16C and 24C. The soil must be cooler than 70 degrees Fahrenheit for germination. Spinach crops produce huge yields of nutritious, delicious dark green leaves that are a worldwide staple in salads and most dishes you can whip up in the kitchen. But do you know how to grow spinach? How to grow spinach: Plant spinach at the right time Spinach can be grown in almost any climate if grown at the right time. The leaves are cooked and eaten as a relish but are also known to have medicinal uses and ayurvedic properties. You really want well-draining soil that isnt too soggy, but that also can hold some water for the plants to use. Rugare,covo, rape, choumoellier orchomolia, and Ethiopian mustard greensare the names commonly used for greens in Botswana, Zambia,Zimbabwe, and Tanzania. Let us help you figure out whats best for your needs! Common Problems: Mosaic virus, white rust, fusarium wilt, downy mildew, damping-off, anthracnose, aphids, armyworms, bulb mites, cutworms, darkling beetles, Harvest: When the leaves are large enough to eat, 6-8 weeks after planting. Thin spinach to 12 inches apart; s [ace rows 12 inches apart. Our in-depth guides explain your options and help you determine the best ones for your needs. TIPS ON HOW TO GROW SPINACH Spinach is a nutrient-rich green that is easy to grow in the garden. Rotating locations from year to year helps control most diseases. He seeks to make global impact in entrepreneurship, agriculture, technology, philanthropy, sustainability & governance. Spinach is typically ready to harvest in four to six weeks after planting. Likewise, you can plant in the fall once the temperature cools, as long as you have six weeks where the soil temperature will remain above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Seeds should be planted inch deep. They are known as muriwo in Zimbabwe, morogo in Botswana,and sukuma wiki in Kenya. Once picked, youve started the clock fresh spinach does not keep well or for very long. They are widely used in food preparation so they have a broad market. Its best to avoid downy mildew by ensuring good airflow around your plants and by watering the soil rather than the leaves. Loosely fill your sterilized jars with the wilted greens and add boiling water, leaving about an inch of headspace. This will earn roughly US$22 000 in gross revenue so this is worth a try. Bacillus thurigiensis spray is the answer to these little caterpillars. You can actually cram as much spinach into the bag as you can fit as this frozen spinach will only be used for cooking purposes, damage to the leaves is not going to be noticeable later. It needs soil temperatures of at least 40 degrees to germinate, and at least six weeks of cool weather to mature. Thin it to at least 3 inches apart and harvest as the plant reaches 5-6 inches in height. Utah State University - Yard and Garden Extension. Avoid moist conditions that favor slugs. If you are planting in late summer for a fall crop, try to find an area with sun in the morning and partial shade in the afternoon. Spinach benefits and side effects. All these people can eat mushrooms which are a healthy source of protein. Microgreens. Step 7:Harvest spinach regularly. Moisture fluctuations will cause leaves to become tough, slow leaf development, and contribute to off-flavors. Get daily tips and expert advice to help you take your cooking skills to the next level. Dont blanch with boiling water as this will draw out too many of the nutrients and flavor of the leaves. Here, we delve into the world of soil science to learn about why certain things do what they do. You have plenty of room to choose because the crop(s) to pick from are many. Planting Spinach Plant spinach seed inch (12mm)deep. In this article, I will be focusing on crop farming. Such vegetables form a huge part of the Zimbabwean diet daily. Unglazed clay is an ideal material because it allows excess soil moisture to escape through its walls. 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. Learn how to do it with our in-depth tutorials! Most spinach is fast growing and is not susceptible to many production problems. At the most advanced level, you can even grow vegetables for export. Sowing Advice: Sprinkle your seeds over the soil and cover with a layer of compost or soil. When they eat the poisoned bait, they die off and leave my plants safe from harm. Leaf miners can be dealt with by using spinosad sprays much as flea beetles can. Adults chew tiny holes in cotyledons and leaves. Microgreens are a hot new trend in gardening, urban farming, and restaurantsand theyre shockingly easy to grow. Beans, peas, and other legumes are an absolute necessity in the vegetable garden! If you fertilize with compost, apply no more than 1 inch of well-composted organic matter per 100 square feet of garden area. If you are using fertiliser, use one handful for every square metre of soil. I have also done an article on the common tomato varieties grown in Zimbabwe. Remember to remove weeds regularly. If youve left a reasonable amount of stem on your leaves, you can use the stems to help bundle the leaves together. Not only is maize a central feature of the human diet in Zimbabwe, but it is also much needed in stock feed production. However, they yield leaves which are much greener than the standard cabbage. STAR Varieties Cucumbers are perfect here because they are widely consumed in Zimbabwe. African greens are vast in variety and come from different orders of the plant kingdom. For most spinach varieties, its recommended to plant in rows that are spaced 12 inches apart. Cover seed lightly with soil. Mulch heavily with organic matter to retain the moisture in the soil and prevent weeds. As long as youve followed the steps mentioned above, you should be able to grow a good crop of spinach. Water spinach regularly supplying 1-2 inches per week. Let me reiterate, there is much more value in value addition i.e. Space rows 12 to 14 inches (30-35cm) apart. Companion planting, sometimes called intercropping, can be used to deter pests and improve yields. Epic Gardening is reader-supported. Grow spinach in moist but well-drained soil or compost in partial shade. To prevent this, be sure to plant during the cooler months of the year. You can actually plant seeds before the final frost in most areas, but the seeds wont germinate unless the soil temperature is above 40, and it may be a slower growth process. Often the leaves are smooth and medium to dark green in color. It creates yellowish spotting on the top of leaves, but underneath the leaves will be white, textured blotches of fungus. However, they yield leaves which are much greener than the standard cabbage. Profits can be at least 20 per cent hectare so it is a lucrative farming venture. Spinach seed can be sown after soils reach 40 degrees F. Seeds germinate best at 55-65 degrees F and require 7-10 days to emerge. There are certain things that we add to the soil that doesnt improve its fertility, but instead offers different benefits like moisture retention, good drainage, and so on. Or four hands of kraal manure or compost for every square metre of soil. You can plant in late winter for a mid-spring harvest, or plant in fall for a late winter/early spring harvest. Organic mulches help cool the soil and reduce water stress. Thin seedlings or transplant spinach to 3 inches apart in the row with rows 12 inches apart. Its advisable to use a fine-meshed tray if you are dehydrating your spinach. Spinach can be eaten fresh or cooked. I have covered microgreens before and it is an area that is relatively new in Zimbabwe. You can opt to either cut the stems off slightly below the leaf, or to snip off the entire plant. Soft-bodied or shelled mollusks that chew holes in leaves. 2022 Epic Gardening. Common in most gardens, these little guys find spinach to be delicious just like we do, and will chew through leaves and plant stems. 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. Find out how to grow Spinach/. Do you think of tropical fruit as being an exotic treat? Bugs in the garden can make short work of a crop that took a long time to grow, so knowing exactly how to deal with every type of garden pest is essential! Youll find a selection of in-depth articles on all things tuber-related here. Begin harvesting whenever the leaves are large enough for your taste. In crop farming, there are certain crops that most farmers start from seedlings. Control insects and diseases throughout the year. The content of this article was written byDan Drost, a Vegetable Specialist at Utah State University - Yard and Garden Extension. Plant spinach from seed (not transplants) 4-6 weeks before your average last frost date. Finally, fusarium wilt is another fungal disease like spinach blight which can be transmitted by cucumber beetles or aphids, but which also can live in the soil. They also prefer soil thats slightly alkaline, in the 7.0 or slightly higher range. You can grow spinach in shadier conditions, but it should receive no less than six hours of full sun per day for plant development. Moments ago I touched on plant nurseries; often time people into that tend to diversify into or couple it with ornamental crops. Disclosure. Youll find most large-pitted fruits in this category! Older leaves are often stripped off the plants first allowing the young leaves to continue to grow. Its rich in iron and manganese, and has a reasonable amount of fiber for a leaf vegetable. Some hot summer climate gardeners take a break from leafy greens during the hotter months of July and August. Plant diseases can plague your garden and dramatically reduce your harvest. These arebetter known as delele in Zambia and Botswana, murere in Kenya,derere in Zimbabwe, andmolokhiain Egypt and other North African countries. The maturity date should be about 1-2 weeks after the anticipated first fall frost for your growing area. When is the best time to plant spinach? 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For germination this is worth a try use one handful for every how to grow spinach in zimbabwe metre of.... The year potential of moisture buildup inside, too one of the nutrients and flavor of the year thin to. From mature spinach plants, find a stem that has roots skills to next!
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