There are a million ways to use your homegrown food! It takes about four pounds of fresh spinach to produce one quart (or two pints) of canned spinach. The purple varieties with bigger leaves should not be consumed. The basic structure of the flower is similar to amaranth, in its small, spiked, and inconspicuous nature. Other good cool-weather choices include cauliflower, celery, cabbage, peas, or strawberries. Plant spinach where it will receive full sun to partial shade. Hydroponics seems complicated at first, but with our introductory and starter guides, youll be up and running in no time. If necessary, use a copper fungicide to treat the problem. Utah State University - Yard and Garden Extension. Organic mulches such as grass clippings, straw, and shredded newspapers also help control weeds. Cruciferous veggies that are part of the Brassica family make up an awful lot of the produce we eat! Packed with pumpkins and bursting with butternuts, this section of our site is devoted to all things squash. Thus if you have land in those regions or can find land there tobacco farming can be a wise crop farming choice. Choose a container thats at least 10 to 12 inches deep with a similar width. Pest control itself is a hotly debated topic, but there are many methods of organic pest control that are viable solutions to this tricky problem. Plus, wild animals, rabbits chief among them, also might raid your spinach patch. Serve the dip with crackers, chips, or toasted bread. Plant a seed every inch or so along the row, and cover with about 1/4 to 1/2 soil. Slow-drip irrigation or soaker hoses are great for these plants. This will help to promote healthy foliage growth. We explore these beneficial and incredible plants and how theyre used to make your soil better for future growth! 10 health benefits of spinach Clive Masarakufa is a Business & Management Consultant. You can harvest at least 12000 cucumbers from it. Cauliflower, Onion and Celery are mostly used. If a peppery punch is what you seek, a gingery sharpness, or perhaps the pungent aroma of freshly-ground nutmeg, youll find those and more here. 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. Step 3:Use a garden fork to mix soil and fertiliser, manure or compost thoroughly, and then even out using a rake. Clive Masarakufa is a Business & Management Consultant. One of the key target markets is upmarket restaurants. Remember to remove weeds regularly. Perhaps it is for the lack of English names, but the vegetables are easily recognizable in local languages. Harvest spinach as soon as 5 weeks after sowing. Good tools make the difference between an easy job and a hard one. In warm climates, you might be able to sow seeds in the fall and harvest well into winter. Well-draining soil is essential for your spinach plants, as they wont tolerate much standing water. Some are solely focused on just the production whereas some are solely focused on sourcing and selling. Spinach blight is another name for the cucumber mosaic virus, which is spread by cucumber beetles and aphids. How to Grow Spinach Keep spinach consistently moist, not soggy. High summer temperatures reduce growth, decrease quality, and cause the plants to flower and the leaves to develop bitter or off-flavors. This translates into gross revenue of about US$6000 which is a great return on investment. Once the weather gets consistently over 85, your spinach is not going to be happy. Water requirements depend on soil type and temperatures. Such vegetables form a huge part of the Zimbabwean diet daily. Avoid water or fertilizer stress during growth. This will earn roughly US$22 000 in gross revenue so this is worth a try. Step 7:Harvest spinach regularly. He has worked with individuals, small to medium enterprises, and large corporations in Zimbabwe & various countries. Best of all, theyre rewarding when you finally tug that perfect carrot out of the soil! Before planting, determine fertilizer needs with a soil test and then follow the recommendations given with the test report. Sow seeds inch deep and at least 1 inch apart, either in rows or broadcast over the soil. 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. Youll find most large-pitted fruits in this category! Once you feel resistance when gently tugging on the stem, you'll know a strong root system has formed. Happy farming! Moisture fluctuations will cause leaves to become tough, slow leaf development, and contribute to off-flavors. As mentioned in the soil segment, much of your fertilization comes from the initial soil preparation process. Green beans sell extremely well in Zimbabwe because they are affordable for many. Remove any diseased plants and destroy them. Sadly, these days the sector is not as robust as it used to be though it is still a favoured go-to for most aspiring entrepreneurs. Our in-depth guides explain your options and help you determine the best ones for your needs. Mulch heavily with organic matter to retain the moisture in the soil and prevent weeds. African greens are vast in variety and come from different orders of the plant kingdom. Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is an annual leafy green vegetable that grows best in cool weather. At the most advanced level, you can even grow vegetables for export. Flowers are generally a sign that spinach is coming to the end of its life cycle. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Weed control is particularly important during establishment. Spinach can be grown from seed or transplants. Be very gentle while harvesting your spinach. Use a spinosad spray to wipe them out. Spinach tastes best when plants grow rapidly and mature before the heat of summer. A: While its not necessary to soak the spinach seeds before you plant them, you can soak seeds to speed germination. I know someone who provides online training for prospective mushroom farmers. They are ready for harvest after about 60 to 75 days. Once the Spinach seedlings have emerged, thin them to 4 to 6 inches apart. It is a huge market with so much money to be made. The climate has shifted more to higher temperatures and that has greatly affected maize farming, for instance. In crop farming, there are certain crops that most farmers start from seedlings. This section is filled with all the starchy goodness we can muster! Posted by Clive Masarakufa | Aug 13, 2020 | All Articles, Business Ideas | 1. If fertilizer applications are warranted, work the fertilizer into the top 6 inches of soil. The soil must be cooler than 70 degrees Fahrenheit for germination. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Provided the growing point is not damaged, all leaves can be cut off to within 2 inches of the soil. Sow outdoors, directly where they are to grow. Thin it to at least 3 inches apart and harvest as the plant reaches 5-6 inches in height. If there are any tough stems, remove them. Their size varies from cultivar to cultivar, as does their flower. Side dress the crop at mid-season with compost, blood meal or kelp , which will encourage rapidly growing new, tender leaves. The taproot will continue trying to grow downward, and it can spiral around inside its container. This is what makes them a good vegetable farming focus is given such a huge market. The higher nitrogen content in these fertilizers can cause scorching. Microgreens are harvested after about at most 14 days or so. If the temperature is cold enough that its snowing, you should protect your plants with a cold frame. Or four hands of kraal manure or compost for every square metre of soil. Vines produce all sorts of fruit from cucumbers to passion fruit. Microgreens are young vegetables typically 2.5 to 7.5 centimetres in height. You can grow spinach indoors too. Step 4:Put the seed or seedlings into the ground, working according to the instructions on the seed packet or the nursery recommendations. Thus it would be strategic to grow them. Lightly pre-moisten the soil and fill the container. First add richness to the soil by digging in some well rotted garden compost then adding a general fertilizer. This skips the germination time that seeds take, allowing you to get a quicker harvest. Honestly, this is a great veggie to grow if you have an area that gets partial shade. Microgreens are a hot new trend in gardening, urban farming, and restaurantsand theyre shockingly easy to grow. We explore this world of long, vining plants and how they can be grown to produce edible harvests in your garden! The most elementary approach is to simply grow any of these crops at your homestead and supply your immediate community. Spinach grows well with a side-dressing of slow-release granular fertilizer when you grow spinach in lieu of liquid fertilizers. Other Sections Co-authored by Andrew Carberry, MPH Last Updated: February 22, 2023 References Approved A cool-weather loving green, spinach is a fast-growing relative of beets and Swiss chard. At this point, simply transplant, and grow spinach in pots for its lifespan. There are many good varieties for sale in local gardening outlets and through seed catalogs. You can also choose to settle for onions. Use quality potting mix rich in organic matter. Green or black soft-bodied insects that feed on underside of leaves. The best times to plant spinach is as a spring or fall crop. About 1 of water per week is ideal when you grow spinach, but in slightly warmer weather you may want to bump that to 1.5. Stir in artichoke hearts, spinach, and jalapenos. However, they yield leaves which are much greener than the standard cabbage. How to begin growing spinach: Step 1: Loosen your soil by digging down deep. Zimbabwe is the biggest producer of tobacco on the African continent. they contain Vitamins A, B, and C plus fibre and other essential minerals. One of the most talked-about is the Trinity variety. Q: How long does it take for a spinach plant to grow? The taproot will search deep in the soil for water, but the rest of the roots need moisture too! Stored this way, your spinach may be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of 41-48 degrees for around ten days. From seed to harvest, youre looking at about 40 days. More on growing spinach: Love citrus trees? Our guides will instruct you in growing your greens and reaping their nutrition-packed bounty! To propagate Spinach by seed, sow the seeds in moistened soil about inch deep and 2 inches apart. For most spinach varieties, it's recommended to plant in rows that are spaced 12 inches apart. Spinach is a low-acid food, so must be canned with a pressure canner to avoid the risk of botulism. Aquaponics is the combination of aquaculture and hydroponics, a powerful way to raise both fish and vegetables at the same time sustainably. Thats why these spinach pests dont make for a good spinach harvest! 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. Use floating row covers to exclude beetles from plants. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Email:shop@startupbiz.co.zw View Directions, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, How to start a fumigation service in Zimbabwe. Heres when, where, and how to plant spinach for optimal growth conditions. He has worked with individuals, small to medium enterprises, and large corporations in Zimbabwe & various countries. Spinach also can be frozen for later use. In Zimbabwe lots of people, from small home-based producers to large-scale producers, are actively involved in vegetable production. Required fields are marked *. Sowing Advice: Sprinkle your seeds over the soil and cover with a layer of compost or soil. The content of this article was written byDan Drost, a Vegetable Specialist at Utah State University - Yard and Garden Extension. For faster germination, place the container in a warm location and cover with plastic. Sow seeds in a shallow moist drill and cover lightly with soil. Pruning your plants properly is particularly pertinent to prolific paybacks! Epic Gardening: Simple, Practical Gardening Tips, Monterey BT Caterpillar Killer (Bacillus thuringiensis), Knautia: Perfect Perennial Cut Flowers For Pollinators, Rubber Plant: How To Grow Ficus Elastica The Right Way, Prickly Pear Plants: How To Grow These Spiny Foods, Agastache Aurantiaca: How To Grow Hummingbird Mint, The 50 Best Greenhouse Plants To Grow Each Year, How To Winterize Fabric Pots To Extend The Season, Homemade Kyopolou: Delicious Bulgarian Garden Recipe, Phytophthora Infestans: How To Control Late Blight, About 1 per week; keep the soil moist but not waterlogged; medium soil moisture, Flea beetles, spider mites, aphids, cutworms, armyworms, leaf miners, slugs, snails, Downy mildew, powdery mildew, white rust, anthracnose, cercospora leaf spot, spinach blight, fusarium wilt. As raised beds can increase the soil warmth quickly, be sure to check your soil temperature before planting spinach. Its a shame that these garden myths continue to be perpetuated, but were hoping we can change some of that. The leaves are sensitive to ethylene gas given off by many fruits, so don't store spinach in the refrigerator in the same container as apples, melons, or tomatoes. Harvesting and eating: Pick leaves as needed. Spinach can also be dehydrated or freeze-dried. Q: How many times can you harvest from one spinach plant? Monitor your crop for aphids regularly, and hose them off immediately if you find them. Growing spinach in containers is a great way to keep it easily accessible for harvesting. Be sure to remove any excess air in the bag before freezing! Learn how to do it with our in-depth tutorials! Some of the common examples are covo, cabbage, spinach, and rape, amongst others. Thankfully, Bt spray will help with these and other forms of moth larvae as well. When selecting a planting location for spring, choose one that gets 6 or more hours of direct sun each day. Common Pests and Diseases. A two-year-old seed packet may have 50% or fewer plants germinate, where a new seed packet may have 95% germination. I have even included practical projections of money you can make from tomato farming. Spinach benefits and side effects. Whenever possible, avoid overcrowding and grow them at least 3 inches apart! She's also an author of three gardening books, a plant photographer, public speaker, and a former Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator. Yellowed leaves can indicate nitrogen deficiency. Plant spinach from seed (not transplants) 4-6 weeks before your average last frost date. Spinach will flower (bolts) during long days and warm temperatures in summer. Remove the plastic once per day to let excess moisture escape and prevent damping off. Soil improvement encompasses a whole lot more than just adding a bag of potting mix and hoping for the best! Here are 55+ plants you can grow in a hydroponic gardenno trowel required. Well-draining soil is important for spinach to grow well in pots. Spinach grows best in temperatures between 25F and 75F. Legumes are staples in most peoples diets for a reason: these protein-packed seeds sustain life even when the going gets rough. Lastly, add minced garlic. Techniques you can use for soil improvement are also collected here, providing you with tools you can use to improve the overall health and potential of your garden. Keep at the temperature from 65 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Alliums tend to blend seamlessly between the herbs, spices, and vegetables categories, but we love them all. Most plants will send down one deep taproot and a multitude of other thinner roots. 7 Tips for How to Grow Spinach 1. Radishes are one great option. Disclosure. While there are no guarantees that these are cures, they certainly can reduce the frequency that your plants develop some horrible condition, and they may provide some treatment as well. Tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers are also good plants near your spinach. Plant Spacing: Space between rows 7-11 inches (20-30 cm) and space between plants in the row 3-6 inches (7-15 cm) Farmers irrigate the field immediately after seeding spinach. Aside from pests and diseases, if youre having germination problems, there are a few possible causes for these. Epic Gardening is reader-supported. Its incredible nutritious, and contains a number of fat soluble vitamins that are essential to human health. With good market research, you can start a profitable business in this regard. Much like cutworms, armyworms are a caterpillar that can wreak havoc on your spinach crop.