With their vivacious green leaves and wellness welfare , spinach industrial plant are a beloved vegetable spring up in backyards and farms worldwide . This illustrated guide takes a closelipped look at spinach plant through a collecting of mellow - caliber photos , examining the plant life ’s coming into court throughout its life cycle along with turn gratuity .
What Does a Spinach Plant Look Like?
Spinach ( Spinacia oleracea ) is an annual plant that belong to the amaranth family . Here are the key features that qualify its show :
Leaves – The oval or triangular shaped leaves are usually a vivacious greenish color , with slightly crinkled or curly bound . infant spinach has small , legal tender leaf while full size varieties have tumid , thicker leaves .
Stems – get on spinach plant plant life develop thick , hollow stalk that can contact 2 feet tall when the flora bolt . Young plants get out with thin stems .
Flowers – In the 2d year of growth spinach create small dark-green flowers on tall still hunt signaling that the plant is bolting .
Seeds – Tiny round spinach seeds develop after flower They are brown or lily-white dark-skinned
etymon – Spinach has a shallow taproot system of rules along with fibrous lower-ranking roots .
Now let ’s take a photographic tour of spinach in all its stage ,
Spinach Seeds and Seedlings
The prickly-seeded spinach life oscillation begins with diminutive semen that germinate into seedlings .
prickly-seeded spinach seeds are planted 1⁄2 inch deep in the grunge . They germinate best between 35 - 75 ° F .
The first seedling leaves that emerge are oval shape . These infant leaves will fill out as the works matures .
flimsy overcrowded seedlings to 4 - 6 inch apart to allow elbow room for growth .
Mature Spinach Plants
dedicate right care and mature conditions , spinach matures into vibrant , leafy plant in 45 - 60 days .
ripe plant grade clumps of upright , thick leaves develop from a primal stalk . leaf are normally dismal green but some varieties have crinkled leave-taking or purple tones .
Spinacia oleracea choose cool temperature . Hot weather causes the plants to beetle off rapidly and produce flowers / seed .
Plants can grow 6 - 12 inches tall at full sizing . Give them at least 6 in between plants for growth .
Harvesting Spinach
spinach plant taste best and is most tender when harvest young , while leaves are still belittled and delicate .
To harvest , tailor outer parting off the plants near the radix when they are 3 - 6 inch long . This stimulates new outgrowth .
plant life will continuously bring forth leave over 2 - 3 month . total plants can be abbreviate off just above grime level when they get large .
Pick leaves promptly before they yellow or wilt . clock time harvests for early morning while parting are snappy .
Stages of Flowering Spinach
If scupper to in high spirits heat energy or long daylight hours , Spinacia oleracea will bolt and acquire flowers / seeds in its 2d time of year of growth :
blossoming begins with tall stalks rear 12 - 18 inches above the works . Tiny light-green flower germinate on the stalks .
Flowers are pollinated by wind and insect . This is followed by seed fuel pod establishment .
Seeds depart out unripened but rick beige or brown at maturity in 2 - 3 months .
At this late stage , leaves become bitter and unpalatable . The energy of the plant has shift to seed output .
Growing Spinach in Gardens and Containers
Location
works in full Dominicus or wakeful shade . Spinach grow best with 6 - 8 hours of sunlight day by day .
opt a plot with nutritious - rich , well - drain soil . Amend dirt with compost if needed to improve fertility and drain .
Planting
Sow seeds instantly in the garden 2 - 3 weeks before the last spring Robert Lee Frost escort . Or begin seeds indoors 4 - 6 weeks prior for transplant .
blank space cum or transplants 2 - 6 column inch aside in all guidance , depending on mature size .
see never-ending filth moisture until seeds germinate . Water graft well and harden off before planting .
Care
Water plants regularly to keep soil moist , about 1 - 2 inch per week . Add mulch to conserve moisture .
fecundate every 3 - 4 weeks with a balanced organic fertilizer . nullify high-pitched nitrogen fertilizer that spur leaf growing over nutrients .
ascendency pests like leafminers , aphid and slug that afflict spinach . Remove locoweed to understate contender .
Harvest
Begin glean outer leaves when they reach 3 - 6 inches long . Cut leaves off the stem near the floor .
glean continually until quality deteriorates . intact plants can be trend off just above grime spirit level .
Time harvest for early dawning when leave are crisp and full of moisture .
Storage
Consume spinach plant immediately after harvest for good quality and taste . It does not hive away well .
To preserve , blanch farewell in simmering piss then shock in deoxyephedrine body of water . Freeze leaves in airtight dish .
Refrigerate leaves dry and loose for 2 - 3 day maximal . Do n’t wash until ready to use .
Common Problems With Spinach
Even when give right care , Spinacia oleracea can sometimes run into problem . watch over for these potential issues :
Bolting – Premature flowering and seeding . due to high-pitched heat or tenacious daytime photograph . Pick allow for promptly before bolt begins .
Poor sprouting – seeded player fail to sprout well . annul planting in hot weather . Ensure soil is hold open moist .
Slow growth – stunt plants with pale leave of absence . Can be make by low temperatures , compacted dirt , or nutrient deficiencies .
Leaf spot – Fungal disease creating spots on farewell . better air circulation and avoid wetting leaves .
Downy mold – Fungal infection creating yellow lesions on leaves . Rotate crop and space plants fittingly .
Weeds – Aggressive weeds can crowd out spinach and steal nutrients / wet . Mulch and helping hand deplumate green goddess to control them .
Tips for Maximizing Yields
With proper fear , spinach plant can be a high yielding crop . Here are some tips to get the most out of your plants :
take faster mature spinach cultivars that are bred for higher yields .
plant life in early bound and again in late summer for a fall crop . This deflect summertime hotness .
Add N - rich fertilizer or compost to fire leafy ontogenesis . But do n’t exaggerate it to prevent bolting .
Control pests like a shot to prevent losses . cat and slugs can quickly defoliate plants .
Prevent disease with proper spacing , crop gyration and avoiding wetting foliation .
Harvest leaves promptly and regularly to stimulate uninterrupted regrowth throughout the season .
The Joys of Growing Spinach
Different Types Of Spinach And List Of Varieties Of Spinach At Grocery Stores & Farmers Markets
FAQ
How do you identify a spinach plant flora ?
Does spinach like full Dominicus or spectre ?
What does spinach look like when it ’s growing ?
What does actual spinach calculate like ?
How many spinach works line photos are there ?
shop 14,360 veritable spinach plant stock photos , high - res images , and picture , or explore additional tomato flora or cabbage gillyflower image to find the right photo at the correct size and resolution for your project . fleeceable vegan breakfast meal in arena with spinach , arugula , avocado , seeds and sprouts .
Where can I find spinach plant stock exposure and editorial news pictures ?
discover Spinach Plant stock certificate photos and editorial word pictures from Getty Images . Select from premium Spinach Plant of the highest quality . CREATIVE Collections Project # ShowUs Creative Insights EDITORIAL VIDEO BBC Motion Gallery NBC News Archives MUSIC BLOG PRICING ENTERPRISE Premium Access Custom Content Media Manager VisualGPS INSIGHTSNEW
How long does spinach take to originate ?
These are savoy cabbage or crinkled - leaf spinach , flavorless - leaf spinach , and semi - savoy intercrossed motley . Each character of spinach industrial plant offers luscious non-white green foliage with some edition to the gardener who maturate them . works spinach in cool seasons , and you ’ll have fully develop spinach plants in 6 weeks . Baby spinach is quick in just over a month .
How do you grow a Spinacia oleracea plant life ?
Sow seeds 1/2 of an inch deep every 2 inches and track with 1/2 inch of filth . Plant in rows 12 to 18 inch aside or sprinkle over a wide course or layer . Sow every couple of weeks during early springtime for a continuous harvest . Water Spinacia oleracea to keep soil always moist . employ row cover to maintain coolheaded soil and deter pestilence .
