How to grow spinach in early autumn? Detailed explanation of key cultivation techniques
When spinach is planted in early autumn, its growing period is about 30-40 days. The time is short, and the vegetables reach the market quickly, which can meet market demand for off-season autumn vegetables and also achieve relatively high economic benefits.
1. Soil selection. Spinach planted in autumn does not have strict soil requirements. When cultivated on sandy loam, it shows early maturity, while cultivation on clay loam tends to produce high yields. Its acid tolerance is relatively weak. The suitable soil pH is 5.5-7. When the soil pH is below 5.5 or above 8, growth is poor.
2. Sowing time. In Luquan, Hebei, sow around August 20, and it comes to market around late September. Mainly choose heat-tolerant, high-yield round-leaf spinach varieties, such as Quanneng spinach, etc.
3. Apply sufficient base fertilizer. Spinach has a relatively high absorption rate of nitrogen and potassium. Generally, apply 1000 kg of decomposed farmyard manure and 80 kg of ternary compound fertilizer per mu; at the same time, the soil moisture throughout the entire growth period must be maintained at 70%-80% of field capacity.
4. Sow at the right time. Direct seeding, bed width 2-1.5 m, shaped like a turtle back, sow evenly 2-3 times. When sowing in early autumn, to ensure full stands, the seeds can first be soaked in 15-20°C water for one day, and after germination, sow while wet. In autumn, temperatures are high and there is more rain, so the spinach sowing rate should not be too large. Generally, sow 1.2-1.5 kg of dry seed per mu. After sowing, to ensure a full stand of spinach and promote growth, cover the seed with a thin layer of soil, or cover with rice straw, or set up a shed for shade, to reduce the harm from high temperatures and heavy rain and direct sunlight, and maintain soil moisture. After the two true leaves of spinach unfold, the leaf number, leaf weight, and leaf area increase rapidly, so apply quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer 1-2 times. Li Ziming, Zhang Weixia