Space your spinach plants so they get good air circulation, and try to keep water off the leaves in the evening. Discard any damaged or discolored leaves, and get them into the refrigerator quickly. Their size varies from cultivar to cultivar, as does their flower. They are used daily by most families. Absolutely! Here youll find cabbages and kale, broccoli and cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and more! Spinach can be eaten fresh or cooked. A significant number of vegetable crops are best grown to start with seedlings. Plus, wild animals, rabbits chief among them, also might raid your spinach patch. You can also opt to use a thumbnail to slice through the soft stems. The spider flower plant, with its five to seven leaves, are also often found growing in many backyards in Africa. Regular watering is essential in warm weather to prevent bolting. Growing Spinach Seedlings. Some examples to highlight here are sorghum, millet, and rapoko. You might have to till your soil before planting, as spinach likes a loose, fine soil. Not only that, but small grains are also sought-after for common processes such as beer making or manufacturing and stock feed production, amongst others. Do not store your spinach while its still wet, as that will rapidly accelerate its decay. A: It depends on the region where you live! Organic mulches help cool the soil and reduce water stress. When planting, mix a fertilizer that's high in nitrogen into the soil, following label instructions. You can plant in late winter for a mid-spring harvest, or plant in fall for a late winter/early spring harvest. Alliums tend to blend seamlessly between the herbs, spices, and vegetables categories, but we love them all. Plant spinach seeds as soon as the ground can be worked in the early spring is the best way to get a full crop before the weather starts to get hot. Instead, place your greens into a resealable bag, and place them in the microwave for one minute, then directly into the freezer. Use a spinosad spray to wipe them out. White rust can often be confused with downy mildew. You can also sow seeds thinly in large containers. The best defense against them is fencing. Remove any diseased plants and destroy them. However, theseclimate-hardy crops grow in abundance and arefinally being recognized as the king of greens and a source of food security. All things about tomatoes can be found here. There are also huge largely untapped prospects in value addition. It is not that capital intensive and can be done effectively in a small room or shaded area. Be very gentle while harvesting your spinach. Most grow well in Utah. As long as youve followed the steps mentioned above, you should be able to grow a good crop of spinach. This means its possible to grow spinach indoors. Spinach does not transplant well, so it is best to direct sow your spinach seeds into rich, organic garden soil. The soil needs to be between 40-80 degrees for germination. At the most advanced level, you can even grow vegetables for export. The best times to plant spinach is as a spring or fall crop. Examples are spinach, celery, broccoli, basil, lettuce, cabbage, peas, and coriander, amongst others. Simply place your washed and dried spinach leaves into a freezer bag, pressing out any excess air, and place it directly into the freezer. If the ground freezes before the plants mature, mulch them with hay and leave them be until the temperatures warm again in the spring. Follow our tutorials here. Apply cup per 10 foot of row of a nitrogen-based fertilizer (21-0-0) 4 weeks after transplanting or at thinning to encourage rapid plant growth. One of the most prevalent spinach issues comes from the formation of downy mildew. Spinach is primarily pollinated by the wind, and varieties will cross-pollinate with one another. One of the key target markets is upmarket restaurants. I have even included practical projections of money you can make from tomato farming. So indoor mushroom farming is a worthwhile and profitable venture. Space rows 12 to 14 inches (30-35cm) apart. Spinach tolerates cool weather. Remove the mulch, and the plants should resume growing, giving you an early harvest. Thin spinach to 12 inches apart; s [ace rows 12 inches apart. Aphids also pose a risk to spinach because they can spread viruses. Finally, keep the soil moist, as too little or too much water can also stop germination. Spices add vibrancy not only to life, but to our gardens too! Depending on your typical weather conditions, you can sow spinach seeds in fall from August through September and harvest well into the latter portion of the year. However, its important to note that seeds do not germinate well at soil temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid water or fertilizer stress during growth. When you grow spinach, its best to prepare in advance rather than risk weak plants. Niching and market targeting can be done in so many ways. Create a new account here Generally 5-6 weeks are required to grow transplants to this size. They are also a good source of vitamins, antioxidants, and fibre. Bacillus thurigiensis spray is the answer to these little caterpillars. If vegetables are your thing here are some profitable vegetables to grow in Zimbabwe. To prevent this, be sure to plant during the cooler months of the year. This mildew develops in wet or humid weather and can be hard to control. These approaches enable you to capitalize on several variables such as limited space and erratic natural weather conditions. This shows you how lucrative it can be to grow tobacco in Zimbabwe. Hot weather will rapidly cause most growing spinach plants to turn to seed production, which reduces the quality of the leaves for eating purposes. If youve left a reasonable amount of stem on your leaves, you can use the stems to help bundle the leaves together. Anthracnose and cercospora leaf spotcan both cause blotches and spotting on leaves. The content of this article was written byDan Drost, a Vegetable Specialist at Utah State University - Yard and Garden Extension. To propagate Spinach by seed, sow the seeds in moistened soil about inch deep and 2 inches apart. Rugare , covo, rape, choumoellier or chomolia, and Ethiopian mustard greens are the names commonly used for greens in Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania. Gardening images, quotes, videos, and more. Here are 55+ plants you can grow in a hydroponic gardenno trowel required. Sow in spring or late summer. Temperatures down to 32F do not seriously damage young plants. Place the cut ends into a paper towel to help absorb any excess moisture, and store your spinach in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Make sure your spot gets at least 4 to 8 hours of sun. Growing tips: Sow seeds directly in well-drained soil in full sun during spring and autumn. Marie's garden writing has been featured in newspapers and magazines nationwide and she has been interviewed for Martha Stewart Radio, National Public Radio, and numerous articles. Add humus and earthworms, Santa Gertrudis bulls: tested for two decades, Scepticism abounds over Zimbabwes compensation offer to farmers, Plant health: Protect your canola from blackleg, Produce shortage prompts rationing of purchases by stores in UK, Cucurbits: A fascinating history of cultivation for over 11 000 years, Husqvarna: Innovative, durable tools for agriculture, Another challenging pome fruit season ahead. Starting Indoor Potted Spinach. Our in-depth guides explain your options and help you determine the best ones for your needs. Farmers can sow other plants between the rows of spinach plants. However, you will want to discard damaged leaves rather than eat them. Place a seed in each of the cells, at a depth of about half an inch into the soil. Sow seed 2 to 4 inches (5-10cm) apart. Harvesting and eating: Pick leaves as needed. However, once youve planted seeds and theyve sprouted, watch for them to form at least four leaves. I, like anyone of you, would concur, believe that we should not import maize when we are endowed with so much land. They are ready for harvest after about 60 to 75 days. No matter which part of the allium family it falls into, youll discover them here! The soil must be cooler than 70 degrees Fahrenheit for germination. Here youll find hands-on guides that introduce you to hydroponics as a whole, as well as helpful information youll need to know about pH, total dissolved solids, and more! Also, grow spinach in conditions between 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit. She has published recipes since 2011 on her blog My Burnt Orange. She's also an author of three gardening books, a plant photographer, public speaker, and a former Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator. Planting a range of different types makes salads more interesting. You should plant from fresh seed under a year in age. Keep the soil moist as you sow spinach seeds. Its believed to have originated in the Fertile Crescent around 2000 years ago. At the most advanced level, you can even grow vegetables for export. Microgreens are harvested after about at most 14 days or so. Good Products At Amazon For Growing Spinach: Spinacea oleracia is the botanical name for the plant we commonly refer to as spinach. While some varieties of spinach are surprisingly cold-hardy and can handle chills down into freezing temperatures, their leaf production greatly slows down as the temperature drops. Those who are in temperate California or other warm climates and warm weather environments can actually grow young spinach seedlings from fall all the way through winter and well into the spring! Temperatures above 80F reduce seed germination. Were addressing all of these things here! Sow summer cultivars every few weeks: under fleece or cloches from February unprotected from mid-March to the end of May they contain Vitamins A, B, and C plus fibre and other essential minerals. I have done articles on tomato farming several times. However, they have some clear differences. Spinach grows best in loamy, well-draining soil in full sun or partial shade. Perhaps it is for the lack of English names, but the vegetables are easily recognizable in local languages. Your email address will not be published. These arebetter known as delele in Zambia and Botswana, murere in Kenya,derere in Zimbabwe, andmolokhiain Egypt and other North African countries. Weather conditions may also be to blame. How to Garden Outdoors in Winter and Grow Fresh Vegetables, How to Grow and Care for Yellow Pear Tomato, 14 Fall Vegetables to Grow in Your Garden, Growing Kale: How to Germinate, Water, and Harvest, How to Grow Green Onions: From Seeds & Regrowing, How to Grow and Care for Dutchman's Breeches, Crocus Flowers: How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Spring Crocus, North America, Central America, South America, Asia. Such vegetables form a huge part of the Zimbabwean diet daily. Use fabric covers to protect seedlings and transplants from frost. Farming in Zimbabwe entails several segments with two major segments being namely, crop farming and livestock farming. Q: How many times can you harvest from one spinach plant? Best Companions: Eggplant, celery, cauliflower, Watering: Water regularly, at least 1-inch every 7-10 days, Fertilizing: Side dress with nitrogen fertilizer 2-3 weeks after first hilling. The container must have drainage holes. Stored this way, your spinach may be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of 41-48 degrees for around ten days. Check out our flower growing guides to learn how to get beautiful blooms in your garden. How is spinach grown in Zimbabwe TM Pick n Pay Zimbabwe First, purchase quality Spinach seeds from any TM Pick n Pay branch and then plant it outdoors once the soil has been worked. Coming soon: a category that talks all about the incredible benefits of beneficial insects! Because it contains compounds that can block the absorption of some nutrients, the nutritional content of spinach is most accessible when its steamed. It's important to remember that only the green leaves are edible. Radishes are one great option. Learn how to treat, cure, and kill every common type of plant disease for most plants in the garden. Spinach can be grown from seed or transplants. Aphids are also a vector for diseases, and can spread things like spinach blight to your plants. Be careful: crowding spinach plants will result in weak plants, stunted growth, and quick bolting. To harvest baby spinach leaves, wait until its formed a rosette of at least five to six inner leaves, and then harvest. Thinned plants can also be eaten. Grow spinach in moist but well-drained soil or compost in partial shade. Its best to plant spinach in an area with well-drained soil thats been worked at least a foot deep to relieve soil compaction. When is the best time to plant spinach? Thus it would be strategic to grow them. You'll need a seed tray or container with cells and universal soil to grow seedlings. Bush okra or jute mallows are thick and succulent leaves that yield a slimy sauce very similar to that of okra pods. Spinach can be harvested in the "cut and come again" method. First add richness to the soil by digging in some well rotted garden compost then adding a general fertilizer. Spinach: a step-by-step guide on how to grow it, How to make a simple, sturdy plastic tunnel at minimal cost, Pest and disease control in pearl millet production. Some plants work well together, and others just dont. Heat any standard pot over medium heat and melt the cream cheese, butter, Parmesan, and sour cream until they start to bubble. To clean it, fill a large bowl with cool water and place your spinach inside. Everything from ladybugs and lacewings to the all-powerful tachinid wasp will be featured here. Common in most gardens, these little guys find spinach to be delicious just like we do, and will chew through leaves and plant stems. You have plenty of room to choose because the crop(s) to pick from are many. Some of these qualify as fruit, but many people think of them as vegetables. The best temperature for growing spinach is between 16C and 24C. Maize is the staple food or crop of Zimbabwe. 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