When Is the Best Time to Plant Spinach Seeds? Plus Maturity Months and Growing Methods

Spinach is a fairly common annual vegetable in daily life, rich in iron and carotene, which is why many people like to eat it. At present, it is grown in most regions of China. So when is the best time to plant spinach seeds? Around which month does it mature?

Planting time for 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. Varieties that are relatively heat-tolerant and fast-growing early-maturing types should be chosen, such as Plowshare Spinach, Huabo No. 1, Guangdong Round Leaf, and Spring-Autumn 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. Medium and late-maturing varieties with strong winter hardiness, late bolting, and strong cold tolerance should be chosen, such as Round Leaf Spinach, Late Round Leaf Spinach, Huabo No. 1, and Liaoning Round Leaf Spinach.

3. Planting time for spring spinach. Sowing can begin once temperatures rise above 5°C after the start of spring, with March being the suitable sowing period. Harvest takes place 30-50 days after sowing. Varieties with late bolting and thick, large leaves should be chosen, such as Late Round Leaf Spinach, Spring-Autumn Large Leaf, Shenyang Round Leaf, and Liaoning Round Leaf.

4. Planting time for summer spinach. Summer spinach is often sown in stages from May to July, and harvested successively from late June to mid-September. Varieties with strong heat tolerance, rapid growth, and resistance to bolting should be chosen, such as Huabo No. 1, Spring-Autumn Large Leaf, and Guangdong Round Leaf.

Spinach maturity season

Different spinach varieties have different maturity times.

Early autumn spinach. Sown around August 20, marketed in mid-to-late September. Because temperatures are still high, varieties that are heat-tolerant and easy to sprout should be chosen for sowing at this time, such as All-Around Spinach.

Autumn spinach. Sown in August, harvested in batches 30-60 days later, and marketed successively from mid-to-late September to October.

Overwintering spinach. Cultivation begins in early-to-mid October, marketed before the Spring Festival. Varieties with late bolting, strong cold tolerance, and high yield should be chosen, such as Pointed Leaf Spinach, Spinach No. 10, and Spinach No. 9.

Growing methods included:

Broadcasting is generally used. For summer and autumn sowing, soak the seeds in water for 12 hours one week before sowing, place them in a well or treat them in a refrigerator or freezer at about 4°C for 24 hours, then germinate them at 20-25°C, and sow after 3-5 days once they have sprouted. For winter and spring sowing, dry seeds or wet seeds can be sown. Sow 3-3.5 kg per mu.

After watering the seedbed surface thoroughly with bottom water, sow the seeds, lightly rake the surface soil with a toothed rake so the seeds are planted into the soil, then cover the seedbed surface with a layer of plant ash.

For summer and autumn sowing, cover with rice straw after sowing or use a small arched shed covered with a shade net to prevent high temperatures and heavy rain from washing the seeds away. Keep the soil warm and moist regularly; full seedlings can appear in 6-7 days. For winter sowing, when temperatures are relatively low, cover the seedbed with plastic film or a shade net to keep it warm and promote seedling emergence, then remove it after the seedlings emerge.