When to Plant Spinach Seeds? A Detailed Guide to the Maturation and Harvest Season
Spinach is something many people know very well, as it is a fairly common leafy green vegetable in our daily lives. Spinach is also known as Persian spinach and parrot spinach. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, protein and more, and is favored by many people. Because of spinach's popularity, the number of spinach growers has gradually increased. So how should spinach be planted?
When to Plant Spinach Seeds
1. Planting time for autumn spinach. Autumn spinach is generally sown in August-September, and can be harvested in batches 30-50 days after sowing. It is best to choose early-maturing varieties that are relatively heat-tolerant and fast-growing, such as Litou spinach, Huabo No. 1, Guangdong Round Leaf, and Chunqiu Large Leaf.
2. Planting time for overwintering spinach. Overwintering spinach is usually sown from mid-October to early November and harvested in batches around the Spring Festival. It is best to choose mid- and late-maturing varieties with strong winter hardiness, late bolting, and strong cold tolerance, such as Round Leaf spinach, Late Round Leaf spinach, Huabo No. 1, and Liaoning Round Leaf spinach.
3. Planting time for spring spinach. Once temperatures rise above 5°C after the start of spring, sowing can begin. March is the suitable sowing period, with harvest 30-50 days after sowing. Varieties should be chosen for late bolting and thick, broad leaves, such as Late Round Leaf spinach, Chunqiu Large Leaf, Shenyang Round Leaf, and Liaoning Round Leaf.
4. Planting time for summer spinach. Summer spinach is usually sown in stages from May to July and harvested successively from late June to mid-September. It is best to choose Huabo No. 1, Chunqiu Large Leaf, Guangdong Round Leaf and others, which are highly heat-tolerant, grow quickly, and do not bolt easily.
The Season When Spinach Matures
Different varieties of spinach have different maturation times.
Early autumn spinach. Sown around August 20 and marketed in mid-to-late September. Because temperatures are still high, heat-tolerant, easy-to-sprout varieties should be chosen for sowing at this time, such as Quanneng spinach.
Autumn spinach. Sown in August, harvested in batches after 30-60 days, and marketed successively from mid-to-late September to October.
Overwintering spinach. Cultivation begins in early-to-mid October and it is marketed before the Spring Festival. It is best to choose varieties with late bolting, strong cold tolerance, and high yield, such as Pointed Leaf spinach, Spinach No. 10, and Spinach No. 9.
Sowing and Raising Seedlings
Broadcast sowing is generally used. For summer and autumn sowing, soak the seeds in water for 12 hours one week before sowing, then place them in a well or in a refrigerator or freezer at about 4OC for 24 hours, then germinate them at 20-25OC; sow after they sprout in 3-5 days. In winter and spring, dry seeds or wet seeds can be sown. Sow 3-3.5 kg per mu.
After watering the bed surface thoroughly with bottom water, sow the seeds, lightly rake the surface soil with a toothed rake so the seeds enter the soil, then cover the bed surface with a layer of plant ash.
After summer and autumn sowing, cover with rice straw or use a small arch shed with a shade net to prevent high temperatures and heavy rain from washing the seeds away. Keep the soil moist regularly, and full seedlings will appear in 6-7 days. If winter sowing temperatures are rather low, cover the bed with plastic film or a shade net to keep it warm and promote seedling emergence, then remove it after the seedlings emerge.
What Are the Benefits of Eating Spinach
1. Promotes digestion. The enzymes contained in spinach can promote the secretion of gastric juice and the pancreas, helping with food digestion and nutrient absorption. In addition, the dietary fiber contained in spinach can promote gastrointestinal motility and speed up bowel movements, with good effects on constipation and bleeding hemorrhoids.
2. Anti-aging. Spinach extract has the effect of promoting the proliferation of cultured cells and can resist aging. In our country, people traditionally wash their faces with spinach juice, which can cleanse the skin, reduce wrinkles and fade spots, and make the skin smooth.
3. Protects the eyes. Spinach contains carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the human body and helps maintain normal vision and the health of epithelial cells. The protein, vitamin B2, and inorganic salts such as iron and phosphorus in spinach are also higher than in many vegetables, and these components have a health-protecting effect on the eyes.
4. Blood enrichment and beauty. Spinach is rich in protein and multiple vitamins, can promote growth and development, and makes qi and blood vigorous, energy abundant, hair shiny, and skin fair. The red root of spinach contains vitamin K, which ordinary vegetables and fruits lack, and helps with the bleeding tendency of the skin and internal organs. The iron it contains has a good auxiliary therapeutic effect on iron-deficiency anemia.
5. Promotes fetal development. Spinach contains folic acid, which is very important for pregnant women. It can promote the normal growth and development of the fetus and prevent defects in the fetal nervous system. Therefore, spinach is a very suitable vegetable for pregnant women to eat.
6. Prevents senile dementia. Spinach contains a large amount of antioxidants, which help prevent brain aging and senile dementia. The acids, trace elements and other substances in spinach can promote metabolism and can also reduce the chance of stroke.
From the above, I believe everyone has gained some understanding of spinach cultivation techniques. Different varieties of spinach have different planting and maturation times, so if you want to grow spinach, you must choose the right variety. Although spinach sells very well, there are also many people growing it, so competition is fierce; therefore, starting a spinach-growing business requires caution.