Hi...
I'm new to spinach. I haven't grown it before. Any hints or advice any one can give? How tall does it get? How much space required? Can I plant now? I am in zone 8b.
D
Growing Spinach...
Dean, what kind of spinach?
darius,
It's Bloomsdale, Long Standing.
In fertile soil, enriched with organic matter high in nitrogen, plant as early as ground can be worked. Spinach likes cool weather. Plant again in late August for a fall crop. Sow thinly, about ½ inch deep. Thin seedlings to 1 to 3 inches apart.
Harvest leaves as soon as they are big enough to eat. When the plant is starting to look old, cut whole plant back to 1 to 2 inches high to stimulate growth. If they begin to bolt, harvest and freeze the whole crop.
Thanks, docact, yes plenty of coffee grounds for nitrogen.
Yes indeed and try to get it planted next to a tall crop, it likes it a little cool and shady.
dean_w
You can also grow the flat leaf types for salad and lettuce greens.
Thanks, Indy, I'm primarly growing it for my DW she loves the stuff. It's also expensive at the store.
Honey, you are talking some seriously good eatin there.........some sauted mushrooms with virgin olive oil add the spinach, a few pine nuts or sunflower seeds, some garlic, salt and peppa and that is heaven!
Dean, might not apply to Texas, but soil acidity is a problem here for spinach. It likes pH close to neutral 6.5 + Have to use lime here. I find Skookum to be a much better performer here than Bloomsdale.
I have alkaline soil ..so...
When in doubt run a soil test :)
You are a quite a bit north of the Spinach capital of Texas - Crystal City.
There is a statue of Popeye there.
LOL!
Wonder where one could get a plastic or wood cut-out of Popeye? I'd love to have one act as a scarecrow in my spinach patch!
Hmmm, lettuceman, that is a wonderful idea! LOL
Here is one site: http://www.guide4chester.com/popeye.html
Here's another: http://www.texasescapes.com/They-Shoe-Horses-Dont-They/Popeye-Sailors-in-Limestone.htm
This message was edited Jan 10, 2008 1:51 PM
Years ago I drove through Crystal City Texas. There he was right in center square. The village at that time was very small but they sure did like their "Sailor Man". That visit may have been the first time I heard most of the folks who we met speaking Spanish.