Detailed Tutorial on the Latest Planting Techniques and Methods for Autumn Spinach
Spinach is a widely grown vegetable in China. It can be planted all year round, and according to different planting times it can be divided into four types: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Autumn spinach refers to the type sown and marketed from August to November. Now that autumn has arrived, it is a good time to plant autumn spinach. Let us take a look at autumn spinach planting techniques below.
1. Seed treatment
Sowing is generally done in August, when the temperature is still relatively high, which has a certain effect on the germination of spinach seeds. Especially in early August, the temperature is generally above 25 degrees, so before sowing the seeds must be soaked to promote germination, to speed up emergence, shorten the growth cycle, and increase yield. For germination promotion, the simplest method of soaking seeds in clean water can be chosen. First wash the seeds clean, then place them in clean water to soak for 3-5 days. When the seeds grow tender sprouts, they can be sown. During this period, note that if the clean water becomes cloudy, it should be changed promptly.
2. Timely sowing
Spinach is generally direct-sown, mostly by broadcasting. The sowing time can be in late July or early October, sown in batches. Before sowing, first water the soil sufficiently, spread the seeds evenly over the ground, then lightly rake the surface soil to cover the seeds. Then use straw or build a shed to provide shade and retain moisture. Keep the soil moist, which helps speed up emergence. In about a week, the seedlings will be uniform. The sowing rate should be determined according to climate changes. In the early period, high temperature, drought, and rainy periods can easily cause seedling death, so the sowing rate is relatively large, generally requiring about 6 kg of seed per mu. In the later period, as the temperature drops, the sowing rate can be reduced to about 3.5 kg of seed per mu.
3. Field management
During the seedling growth period of autumn spinach, both temperature and low temperature are relatively high, so it is necessary to water frequently to keep the soil moist and also to lower the ground temperature, providing a suitable growing environment for the seedlings. In the early growth stage, autumn spinach is in a dry climate period, so at this time fertilizer and water management should be strengthened. When true leaves grow, a thin manure water can be applied once, and afterward, as the temperature drops, gradually increase the fertilizer concentration. However, this method is only suitable when the soil is dry and the climate is dry, so as to avoid excessive humidity causing disease. When the seedlings grow 2-3 true leaves, combine thinning with loosening the soil and weeding, and topdress in time. For topdressing, organic fertilizer should be applied in the early stage, while in the later stage quick-acting chemical fertilizer should be applied to increase yield and improve quality.
4. Harvesting
The growth cycle of autumn spinach is relatively short. It can be harvested 30-60 days after sowing. Harvesting should be based on growth conditions and market demand. Generally, when the plants grow to 10 cm, they can be harvested in batches. When harvesting, priority should be given to harvesting those that are too densely grown or about to bolt. During harvesting, remove diseased leaves and withered yellow leaves, tie them into bundles of half a jin or one jin, and they can be sold on the market.
The above are the planting techniques for autumn spinach. We hope they can help you. If you want to learn more about vegetable planting knowledge, please follow us.