growing spinach in georgia
Spinach is easy to grow as long as it gets cool weather and sufficient moisture. Dark leafy greens, such as spinach, contain not only iron, but vitamins A and C, thiamin, potassium, folic acid, as well as the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin. It is an adorable ground cover type perennial spinach that has curling leaves and a low, mounding growth pattern. |, An Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Veteran, Disability Institution, County and Club Meetings, Environmental Education, Livestock Programs, Project Achievement, Summer Camp, Aquaculture, Beef, Bees, Dairy, Equine, Small Ruminants, Poultry & Eggs, Swine, Invasive Species, Pollution Prevention, Forestry, Water & Drought, Weather & Climate, Wildlife, Adult & Family Development, Infant, Child and Teen Development, Money, Housing & Home Environment, Corn, Cotton, Forages, Hemp, Peanuts, Small Grains, Soybeans, Tobacco, Turfgrass, Food Preservation, Commercial & Home Food Safety, Food Science & Manufacturing, Nutrition and Health, Blueberries, Grapes, Ornamental Horticulture, Onions, Peaches, Pecans, Small Fruits, Vegetables, Home Gardens, Lawn Care, Ornamentals, Landscaping, Animal Diseases and Parasites, Ants, Termites, Lice, and Other Pests, Nuisance Animals, Plant Pest and Disease Management, Weeds. Spinach also can be frozen for later use. According to the states Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, you cannot grow water spinach in ponds, lakes, rivers, or canals. A framework over the bed keeps the plastic from direct contact with the spinach and prevents stem damage if snow, rain or ice builds up on the plastic cover. Keep the soil moist until seed germination occurs, which usually takes 7-10 days. Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a vitamin-rich, delicious, leafy green that is best grown in the cool weather of either spring or fall. 1 Days to harvest based on direct seeding, transplanting will reduce time by 10 to 14 days.. 2 Greens for processing are normally contracted and the contract will designate the variety.. 3 EB = early bolting, fine for fall plantings, but will flower in the spring.. The plants need lots of water for vigorous growth, but the roots cannot stand soggy soils. Growing Spinach from Seed. You can remove these pests with a sharp stream of water. You can also add finely crushed eggshells, ground oyster shell, or wood ashes to adjust pH. Some varieties are better suited for Georgias climate than others. Spinach typically is grown from seeds, but it's also possible to propagate plants from stems you pull that still have roots attached. 45 days Often the leaves are smooth and medium to dark green in color. Maybe you had too much of some vegetables and not enough of othersor maybe there were some unnecessary "skips" in the supply. A pot with a diameter of 14 inches (36cm) will hold 3 to 4 spinach plants. Spinach will grow in areas more shallow than that, but the deeper you can provide a loose soil, the healthier the plants will be. Spring planting dates can be as much as 2 to 3 weeks earlier in extreme south Georgia, and fall planting dates also can be as much as 2 weeks later. Sow spinach. Knowing your first and last frost dates will help you start your vegetable seeds at the right time. Select a variety of spinach for growing and a garden area for planting. Store potatoes in a cool, dark place and onions in a dry, airy place. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. 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. To store spinach, wash it and dry it completely. If your city is not listed below you can find its Last & First Frost Dates HERE. Use 5-10-10 or 6-12-12 analysis, depending on. I'm The Gardening Dad! If you want the earliest production, start with transplants, either homegrown or from garden centers. It's a great cool-weather crop that grows well in pots, and it can be stored in shady balcony gardens and low-temperature areas. Look around for tools you do not have and hint for these for Christmas presents. Then, place it in a plastic bag and store it in the refrigerator. As soon as the plants begin to bolt (send up seed stalks), harvest all that remain before they are spoiled. There are many different varieties of spinach that range in appearance. Spinach can also be juiced or blended into smoothies. But the department, now led by Commissioner Tyler. When choosing a spot to plant your spinach, ensure it gets at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. Once the seedlings emerge, thin them to about 6 inches apart. Field Crop, Forage & Turfgrass Production, Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Program, Fall Gardening: A Collection of Information and Resources, Community and School Gardens Series: Less Expensive Sources of Plant Material, Amendments and Tools, UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, UGA College of Family & Consumer Sciences. Space spinach plants 12 inches apart in fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0. Learning Download: Growing in Georgia Apply manure or compost and plow it under if you did not do so in the fall. The ideal daytime temperature for growing spinach is 50 to 70F, so it's well suited to growing in the spring or fall. Please enter your email address below to create account. Due to its aggressive growth and destructive potential, Southern states such as Florida, Texas, and Georgia have strict rules about managing the vegetable. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 42,684 times. For transplants, set plants 6-8 inches (15-20 cm.) Once the seeds sprout, remove the tray from heat and place the seedlings under grow lights. Make sure the soil is moist. Spinach does not like to compete with other plants for nutrients, so it is best to plant it in an area that has not been planted with other crops recently. I'm a dad, and I love gardening. Plant seeds every few weeks for a continual harvest. Planting spinach too late will cause small spinach or even worse, no spinach. Spinach doesn't like competition for space and . This is because the plant will bolt quickly and the seeds won't germinate in hot soil temperatures above 85 degrees. Spinach can survive temperatures as low as 15F (9C). In Florida, for example, it must be grown in a greenhouse, harvested and packaged on site before being transported. Space each spinach plant at least 3 inches apart - or slightly further apart if you want to harvest larger leaves. Fluff the soil with a garden fork and add some compost to it and it is ready for planting! Spinach is a source of Vitamin A. You can slightly delay this by planting in the partial shade of taller plants. Heat and longer days can kill spinach plants. Catalina Plant your choices of the following warm-season or "frost-tender" crops: beans (snap, pole, and lima), cantaloupe, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, field peas, peppers, squash, tomatoes, and watermelon. It is best to water spinach in the morning so that the leaves have time to dry before nightfall. Use row covers to maintain cool soil and deter pests. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 15 Sept. 1 - Oct. 15 1 ounce 18-36" x 2" " - " . October is National Farm to School Month, and this year students will learn more about a leafy green that is packed with nutrition through the theme "Spinach to Win It." Farm to School Month is coordinated by Georgia Organics in partnership with University of Georgia Cooperative Extension and other institutions. Many home gardeners have become discouraged growing spinach because they start too late in the spring. Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is the most popular of the class of edible leaves, generally designated 'greens', such as dandelion, mustard, beets tops, and turnip tops (Figure 1.25).Spinach is grown as both an early spring and late fall crop in order to have growth at the coolest parts of the season. . The first 300 people to sign-up will have the option to receive a free packet of spinach seeds, washable spinach tattoos, and a Georgia Planting and Harvest Calendar for school gardens. As the weather warms, spinach plants will bolt, or send up a flower spike and go to seed. They're hardy crops, so they should be able to withstand any cold temperatures well. Seeds can be planted 1/2 to 1 inch deep in rows spaced 12 to 18 inches apart. Georgia Organics is a member supported, non-profit organization connecting organic food from. The spinach plant has simple leaves which stem from the center of the plant and measure about 2-30 cm (0.8-12.0 in) long and 1 to 15 cm (0.4-6.0 in) across. Spinach plants need four to six inches of space to develop properly. Spinach is typically ready to harvest in four to six weeks after planting. Disease-resistant Varieties: 'Wolter', 'Nordic IV', 'Melody . If snap beans mature in 55 days and your frost date is November 15, you should plant on or before September 3. As you harvest from mature spinach plants, find a stem that has roots. Perhaps some insect, disease, or nematode problem got the upper hand. Sign up for special offers, how-to guides, and seasonal information! Spinach is fast-growing and can be ready to harvest in as little as one month after it's planted as seed. In general, when there hasnt been a frost for two weeks, you are SAFE to plant your spinach outside in Georgia! When temps climb above 75 degrees Fahrenheit or 21 Celcius the germination rate seriously declines. Growing spinach in hot climates is an uphill battle. All of these pests can be controlled with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Whether you grow some yourself, purchase it at the supermarket, or head out on a road trip just to get your hands on it, water spinach is worth the trouble. Best Grow Medium: Rockwool or coconut coir. Spinach and kale have similar growing requirements, both liking cooler weather and taking around the same time from planting to harvesting. That means it needs at least three to four hours of direct sun on most days, though it could use some protection from strong afternoon sun. Harvest vegetables such as beans, peas, squash, cucumbers, and okra regularly to prolong production and enjoy peak freshness. Register now to . This article has been viewed 42,684 times. Growing Spinach Don't plant too close together (unless harvesting baby spinach) If you plant your spinach too close together, this can cause a few problems. Spinach are not able to survive frost or cold weather under 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It was about 83 degrees in the area where I kept my aerogardens. And if it receives 8 hours of sunlight the plant itself wont grow. across in soil amended with compost to aid in water retention and place in full sun. You also can use a window box for a few plants, depending on their mature size. Plant seed boxes. She's also an author of three gardening books, a plant photographer, public speaker, and a former Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator. Onions that are planted in December should be ready to harvest sometime in between May and July! Plus, hot weather will make it bolt and cause the remaining foliage to become bitter. Spinach can be grown at the beginning or end of the gardening season. Clean off rows of early crops as soon as they are through bearing and use rows for replanting or keep them fallow for fall crops. Too much moisture can harm growth as well. The following recommendations are based on long-term average dates of the last killing frost in the spring and first killing frost in the fall. 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. Based on frost dates and planting zones. Roots are shallow and easily damaged. Yum! That way, you won't order too many seeds. Circular Thin seedlings or transplant spinach to 3 inches apart in the row with rows 12 inches apart. UGA Extension offers a wealth of personalized services Ideal spinach weather is 50-60F. Spinach varieties are either savoyed or smooth-leafed. Time to Maturity: 45 Days. Apply lime, sulfur, and fertilizer according to the soil test results and vegetable requirements. Within 3 to 4 weeks of the first planting, plant more lima beans and corn. They must be planted early and harvested before hot weather arrives. Make a note about favorite varieties. Spinach can be harvested in the "cut and come again" method. Flea beetles are small, winged insects that eat the leaves of plants. For a continuous supply of spinach, make additional plantings every 7 to 10 days. Tyee (can be grown year-round), Teton, Indian Summer, and Catalina are the best choices. Go by your county Extension office and get copies of. Spinach is quick to grow, but needs fertile soil that doesn't dry out. Harvesting the leaves throughout the growing season is how you prune a spinach plant to keep it vigorous. Pre-soak seeds to increase germination rates, and plant each seed inch deep and 2-4 inches apart. This will hardened your spinach plant, increasing its chances of fighting off diseases, insects, droughts, and wet conditions. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/56\/Plant-Spinach-in-Pots-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Plant-Spinach-in-Pots-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/56\/Plant-Spinach-in-Pots-Step-1.jpg\/aid9904362-v4-728px-Plant-Spinach-in-Pots-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
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