Summer spinach grows quickly and is ready to harvest four to six weeks after sowing. The uncomplicated and vitamin-rich leafy vegetable is therefore ideal as a secondary or intermediate culture.

Summer spinach is a delicious cover crop

location and soil

Because spinach forms deep-reaching taproots, it prefers humus-rich, well-drained soil. The location should be in full sun or partial shade.

So you can sow the leafy greens very well next to other vegetables that provide some shade, as long as the leaves are at least temporarily surrounded by sunlight.

Ideal mixed culture

Spinach goes well with almost all vegetables. Examples of good neighbors are:

  • strawberries,
  • Potatoes,
  • cabbage,
  • kohlrabi,
  • Radish,
  • Radish,
  • Rhubarb,
  • pole beans,
  • Tomatoes.

crop rotation

In order to achieve high yields, it is important to also pay attention to crop rotation. Spinach is incompatible with other goosefoot plants such as chard or beetroot. Therefore, do not grow spinach in areas where you had cultivated these plants for at least three years.

Sowing summer spinach

Even young children can sow spinach directly outdoors, who will enjoy how quickly the leafy greens germinate and grow.

  • Spinach is always sown in rows, otherwise it hardly has a chance against weeds.
  • First loosen the soil and carefully remove all weeds.
  • Make grooves 2 to 3 centimeters deep, 20 to 30 centimeters apart.
  • Place a seed in the furrow every four inches.
  • Cover with soil and gently press down.
  • Pour on with a gentle stream.

The fertilization of spinach

As a rule, you do not need to fertilize the spinach additionally, since the leafy greens are adequate for the nutrients present in the soil.

Incorrect fertilization can also become a problem, since nitrate, which is harmful to humans, can accumulate in the leaves. Therefore, do not use nitrogen-rich fertilization with spinach.

Harvest and enjoy straight away

Spinach tastes freshly harvested and prepared immediately. Wrapped in a damp cloth, it will keep for a day in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator.

If you were able to harvest more spinach than you can use immediately, blanch the vegetables briefly and freeze them.

tips

For spinach to thrive, the soil must be kept evenly moist. If the soil dries out, the vegetables begin to bloom and lose their aroma. When watering, be careful not to wet the leaves, this prevents fungal diseases.

Category:

Vegetable garden