SPINACH FARMING
1. Ecological Requirements
🔷Being a cool-weather vegetable, spinach can withstand the first frost of temperate climates.
🔷Temperatures ranging from 4 to 16°C are ideal for germination and growth. It can, however, withstand temperatures as low as -7 degrees Celsius.
🔷A well-draining loamy soil with a pH of 6.4 to 7.0 is ideal for spinach growth. It is vulnerable to excessively high pH levels and acidic soil.
🔷Even though spinach prefers full sun, it can still yield a substantial amount in partial shade.
🔷In hot weather, seeds germinate slowly or may not germinate at all. Additionally, heat causes plants to bolt (go to seed) which ruins the crop's flavor.
2. Planting & Cultural Practices
🔷Spinach is propagated solely by seed.
🔷Spinach is first grown in a nursery before being transplanted into the main field.
3. Nursery Establishment
Procedure
🔷The nursery bed should be set up with one meter of width and the necessary length.
🔷Plant seeds in the bed at a depth of approximately one inch.
🔷Cover the seeds lightly with soil.
🔷Add a thin layer of dry grass (mulch) to the nursery bed.
🔷Water the nursery bed.
🔷Seeds germinate in approximately 5-7 days.
🔷Water seedlings regularly.
4. Transplanting
🔷After 4-5 weeks, when they have 3–4 leaves, seedlings are prepared for transplanting. However, this relies on the local ecological elements, such as temperature.
🔷It is best to transplant on a cloudy day or in the late evening when the sun low.
Note:
🔷Wet the seedlings an hour before removing them from the nursery. This prevents root damage.
Procedure
🔷Choose a location with full sun or light shade and well-drained soil.
🔷Two to three weeks in advance, plow the ground to a minimum depth of eight inches and harrow the area.
🔷Prepare the raised beds. It is advised to use these for appropriate root establishment and drainage. Measurements for the beds should be 15 cm high, 1 meter wide, and roughly 100 meters long.
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