These are also referred to as fine beans sugar beans are quite popular in Zimbabwe. As you harvest from mature spinach plants, find a stem that has roots. If you harvest the outer leaves, and leave about 1/3 of the plant, your spinach will regrow. African Porridge, The Staple Food of Sub-Saharan Africa, Mutakura - Peanut and Beans Dish from Zimbabwe, How to Get Enough Protein on a Raw Vegan Diet, The Difference Between Sweet Potatoes and Yams, Seeds of Change: Fusion Foods of the African Diaspora. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Gardening images, quotes, videos, and more. 7 Tips for How to Grow Spinach 1. Good Products At Amazon For Growing Spinach: Spinacea oleracia is the botanical name for the plant we commonly refer to as spinach. Note that containers tend to dry out faster than the ground, so you'll likely have to water container plants more frequently. The ideal planting site for spinach is fairly sunny with good soil drainage. Beetles can reduce plant stands or may kill seedlings. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Disclosure. If you fertilize with compost, apply no more than 1 inch of well-composted organic matter per 100 square feet of garden area. For this top dressing, use either chicken manure or LAN applied between the rows and work it in lightly. Kathleen Miller is a highly-regarded Master Gardener and Horticulturist who shares her knowledge of sustainable living, organic gardening, farming, and landscape design. March is when things can really get started in your garden for most of the United States. Once seedlings have grown their first set of true leaves, thin the plants to around 6 inches apart. Premised on that you can start a business where you identify commonly sought crops, you source seeds, grow seedlings and sell them to farmers. Freeze dryer trays tend to be solid, so any smaller pieces will not fall through the tray as they will on a dehydrator. However, its important to note that seeds do not germinate well at soil temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Create a new account here While zones 1 through 4 might need to wait another month or so, many of us can begin to get seeds started outdoors in the soil now. Our tips and tricks will help you to keep the fruits of your labor fresh and tasty for a longer period of time! Organic mulches such as grass clippings, straw, and shredded newspapers also help control weeds. This means its possible to grow spinach indoors. Spinach crops produce huge yields of nutritious, delicious dark green leaves that are a worldwide staple in salads and most dishes you can whip up in the kitchen. But do you know how to grow spinach? Gently pull it out of the ground, keeping the roots as intact as possible. 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. If fertilizer applications are warranted, work the fertilizer into the top 6 inches of soil. Make sure your spot gets at least 4 to 8 hours of sun. Gardening tool reviews along with gardening product reviews of some of the most popular products on the market like the Aquafarm, Tower Garden, and much more. When you grow spinach, its best to prepare in advance rather than risk weak plants. As the weather warms, spinach plants will bolt, or send up a flower spike and go to seed. Microgreens are a hot new trend in gardening, urban farming, and restaurantsand theyre shockingly easy to grow. Sowing depth: Twice the height of the seed. Water requirements depend on soil type and temperatures. How to grow spinach: Plant spinach at the right time Spinach can be grown in almost any climate if grown at the right time. Spinach is fast-growing and can be ready to harvest in as little as one month after it's planted as seed. The spider flower plant, with its five to seven leaves, are also often found growing in many backyards in Africa. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. Spinach is a low-acid food, so must be canned with a pressure canner to avoid the risk of botulism. The soil must be cooler than 70 degrees Fahrenheit for germination. Its rich in iron and manganese, and has a reasonable amount of fiber for a leaf vegetable. Water well until seedlings appear. Small grains are a great fit given the aforementioned circumstances. If necessary, use a copper fungicide to treat the problem. This section is filled with all the starchy goodness we can muster! The soil needs to be between 40-80 degrees for germination. Avoid water or fertilizer stress during growth. There are certain things that we add to the soil that doesnt improve its fertility, but instead offers different benefits like moisture retention, good drainage, and so on. There are also huge largely untapped prospects in value addition. Here are 55+ plants you can grow in a hydroponic gardenno trowel required. They require little to zero soil or water which makes the venture very easy to start. Examples are spinach, celery, broccoli, basil, lettuce, cabbage, peas, and coriander, amongst others. Will my spinach die? Spinach likes a loamy, organically rich, well-draining soil. Owing to the home and building construction boom in Zimbabwe the demand for ornamental crops is there. Some hot summer climate gardeners take a break from leafy greens during the hotter months of July and August. Starting Indoor Potted Spinach. Other good cool-weather choices include cauliflower, celery, cabbage, peas, or strawberries. Next make a drill 3cm deep, and sprinkle the seeds thinly along it. The taproot will continue trying to grow downward, and it can spiral around inside its container. He has worked with individuals, small to medium enterprises, and large corporations in Zimbabwe & various countries. Often referred to as "African vegetables" at local open-air markets or roadside stalls, these vegetables have often been dismissed as peasant food. They have substantial nutritional value i.e. You can opt to either cut the stems off slightly below the leaf, or to snip off the entire plant. Transplants provide an earlier harvest. Use neem oil to eliminate both of these sucking pests and to keep them at bay. Thats why these spinach pests dont make for a good spinach harvest! As long as youve followed the steps mentioned above, you should be able to grow a good crop of spinach. For maximum results, it is best to use modern farming approaches. We explore these beneficial and incredible plants and how theyre used to make your soil better for future growth! Here youll find cabbages and kale, broccoli and cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and more! Posted by Clive Masarakufa | Aug 13, 2020 | All Articles, Business Ideas | 1. Thin spinach to 12 inches apart; s [ace rows 12 inches apart. Plant seeds inch deep, 2-3 weeks before the last frost in the spring. Lets explore the weird, wild, and sometimes simply strange world of spices! However, they yield leaves which are much greener than the standard cabbage. Harvest baby leaves for use in salads or mature leaves to wilt for use in soups and stews. She founded Gaia's Farm and Gardens,aworking sustainable permaculture farm, and writes for Gaia Grows, a local newspaper column. One of the most active domains for that is vegetable farming. Spinach is a cool-season vegetable that prefers sunny locations and fertile, well-drained soil. The days are getting longer and the sun is getting warmer, bringing hints of Spring. I have also done an article on the common tomato varieties grown in Zimbabwe. Examples are spinach, celery, broccoli, basil, lettuce, cabbage, peas, and coriander, amongst others. Plants that bolt to produce seed are suffering from weather thats just simply too warm. Spinach and kale have similar growing requirements, both liking cooler weather and taking around the same time from planting to harvesting. Regular, shallow waterings that keep the soil moist are better than one heavy watering. Harvesting spinach thats older can be done by snipping off the leaves at the stem with a pair of garden scissors. We do too. Rotate the crop with other vegetables such as pumpkins, beans, peas, lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes and cabbage. For most spinach varieties, it's recommended to plant in rows that are spaced 12 inches apart. Spinach needs at least 10 hours of sun per day to grow well. Removing any excess air from the bag will help reduce the potential of moisture buildup inside, too. Check out our flower growing guides to learn how to get beautiful blooms in your garden. Tobacco is the most important cash and export crop in Zimbabwe, Understanding the ZSE Indices and how to use them, Awesome skills you can learn online for free. I have covered microgreens before and it is an area that is relatively new in Zimbabwe. Seeds should be planted inch deep. Harvest baby spinach, or broad, well-veined mature spinach leaves. Weather conditions may also be to blame. I highly recommend farming tomatoes using greenhouses. First add richness to the soil by digging in some well rotted garden compost then adding a general fertilizer. Weed control is particularly important during establishment. Grow spinach in full sun to partial shade. Seeds should be planted inch deep. TIPS ON HOW TO GROW SPINACH Spinach is a nutrient-rich green that is easy to grow in the garden. How to Grow Spinach Download Article parts 1 Choosing a Variety 2 Preparing Your Planting Area 3 Planting Your Spinach + Show 1 more. So lets talk about how to grow spinach, and the best ways to produce a big supply of this nutritional powerhouse! The most elementary approach is to simply grow any of these crops at your homestead and supply your immediate community. Generally, anything below 40 degrees is best protected from the chill in the air. Want easier, better farming? Many people prefer to wait until their plant has developed some good leaf growth, but spinach can also be grown as a sprout or as microgreens. Growing tips: Sow seeds directly in well-drained soil in full sun during spring and autumn. Keep the soil moist until seed germination occurs, which usually takes 7-10 days. Typically, the only pruning you need to do when you grow spinach is to harvest spinach leaves during its season. Vines produce all sorts of fruit from cucumbers to passion fruit. In Francophone Africa, cocoyam leaf stew is referred to as sauce feuilles. I have covered microgreens before and it is an area that is relatively new in Zimbabwe. Whether youre learning to grow them or are simply looking for new options for trellising them, you will find it all in this location! Keep at the temperature from 65 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. In many parts of the world, a second fall crop is also possible, and most spinach is somewhat frost-tolerant. This translates into gross revenue of about US$6000 which is a great return on investment. Spinach is an annual, completing its life cycle in one growing season. Youll find a selection of in-depth articles on all things tuber-related here. To freeze spinach, begin by thoroughly washing the leaves. However, they have some clear differences. Growing spinach in containers is a great way to keep it easily accessible for harvesting. She's also an author of three gardening books, a plant photographer, public speaker, and a former Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator. Due to the long taproot that the spinach plant produces, it can quickly outgrow any starter containers. There is a huge market segment of people who do not or no longer eat meat for health reasons. Love citrus trees? If not, have no fear, well help you learn the right way to harvest (and in many cases to store) your abundant fruit, vegetables, herbs, and more! In cold winter areas, plant spinach as soon as the soil can be worked. 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. Often the leaves are smooth and medium to dark green in color. Honestly, this is a great veggie to grow if you have an area that gets partial shade. Refrigerate seeds 1 week before sowing to help germination. Use quality potting mix rich in organic matter. Bursting with juicy goodness, berries are one of the most favored fruits. Similarly, dont grow spinach in overly warm weather, and provide partial shade where necessary. 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. To propagate Spinach by seed, sow the seeds in moistened soil about inch deep and 2 inches apart. Cultivate shallowly and avoid root pruning to ensure uninterrupted growth. Happy farming! Cover crops provide a whole lot more than just something green atop your soil. Additionally, there are more prospects in targeting the export market. Plants which yellow on one side, or which are experiencing stunted growth, may be affected by fusarium. Root vegetables may not be glamorous, but theyre fascinating and delicious. Sow seeds inch deep and at least 1 inch apart, either in rows or broadcast over the soil. Marie Iannotti is a life-long gardener and a veteran Master Gardener with nearly three decades of experience. Anthracnose and cercospora leaf spotcan both cause blotches and spotting on leaves. Step 1:Loosen your soil by digging down deep. Early spring and in the fall are the two times of year when spinach is most likely to come to full maturity before bolting. In general, spinach needs around 1 to 1 1/2 inches of water per week. More common African greens come from theleaves of root vegetables such as cassava, sweet potato, and cocoyam. He is also a Data Analyst, Virtual Assistant, and Researcher. Control insects and diseases throughout the year. Control with appropriate pesticides or traps. Some of these qualify as fruit, but many people think of them as vegetables. Here, we delve into the world of soil science to learn about why certain things do what they do. You can grow spinach indoors too. Flowers you can eat? Do you think of tropical fruit as being an exotic treat? This is a very popular variety most sought after by many these days. | Clive Masarakufa is a Business & Management Consultant. Spinach prefers fertile, well-drained soils rich in organic matter for best growth. It's best to pot in a container that will accommodate the plant's mature size, as spinach doesn't like its roots disturbed in repotting. The fruits have thick walls and can weigh between 140 and 160 grams. Clive Masarakufa is a Business & Management Consultant. Water spinach regularly supplying 1-2 inches per week. Unlike many other green plants, you cant grow spinach from cuttings, as the leaves and stems will not form new roots. Plant spinach where it will receive full sun to partial shade. If there are any tough stems, remove them. Globally we are the sixth biggest producer. Q: How many times can you harvest from one spinach plant? Spinach grows best in temperatures between 25F and 75F. , beans, peas, and cocoyam, wild, and coriander, amongst others note that do! 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