A Method to Help You Plant Your Spinach Well
Best grown in cool weather, you are up for a big surprise since spinach [http://the-mediterranean-diet.com/spinach-nutritional-value.html] only takes three to four weeks before harvest. That is right. Now you can grow your own super vegetable in our own back yard. On top of that, you can grow spinach in pots is there is no worry if you do not have adequate space. We will guide you step by step on how to plant and harvest spinach. Now get the salad ready...
The Spinach Power
Although spinach does not work like steroids as shown by Popeye, spinach is truly rich in vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. To name a few, spinach has vitamins B, C, potassium, folic acid, lutein, and caroteinoids. There are many varieties of spinach but the most common one is the dark green variety and this is what we are going to plant. Accordingly, the darker the leaf, the better it is for consumption.
To expound on the benefits of spinach, you need t know that on top of vitamins and minerals, it ahs macronutrients such as protein and amino acids. It has very low calorie content which makes it perfect for people under weight loss programs. One cup of spinach only contains about 49 calories but it has 6 grams of protein. A single cup can provide 12% of the daily protein requirement of a man. A cup of spinach also contains essential amino acids that the human body cannot manufacture on its own. Essential amino acids are important components of nutrition that humans must get form external sources like plants.
Spinach also has a large amount of Threonine at 257 mg per cup. This acts as a transport agent that helps phosphorus and phosoproteins reach their specific destinations. It is a vital component of forming collagen and elastin and is an indispensable part of the central nervous system, cardiovascular muscles, and the skeletal system.
Preparing and Planting
Dig the soil to about 30 centimeters in depth. This is the ideal depth since the spinach's tap root can grow to this length. Before planting the seeds, make sure you have conditioned the soil. This means you need to mix the soil with compost, preferably organic compost such as manure. This will ensure provision of nutrients for the soil. The soil type should be moist but not waterlogged. If necessary, you may need to add lime f the soil is acidic. Spinach will struggle growing in acidic soil.
Next, plant the seeds. Sow the seeds seven centimeters apart. The rows should be about 30 centimeters apart. Plant the seeds in a place that does not experience very high temperatures. You may need soil beds that you can move. Although spinach can grow in full sunlight, make sure that they do not get scorched.
Tending and Harvesting
An inch of water per week is strongly advised. If you observe yellowing of the leaves' edges, this means that the soil is acidic and you might need to measure its pH level and add lime. Remove weeds that grow so as not to have competition on the soil's nutrients. Water the spinach regularly especially in times when the rain hardly comes by
In as early as four weeks, you may harvest your spinach. Actually, it depends on you if you want to harvest earlier. As long as the spinach leaves look big enough to eat, then you may go and harvest. This will taste great on your salad since it is fresh. You can harvest the entire plant or simply select a few leaves and let it grow back. Just keep in mind that sand and soil clings on the spinach. Make sure that you wash it thoroughly before eating.
The Spinach Power
Although spinach does not work like steroids as shown by Popeye, spinach is truly rich in vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. To name a few, spinach has vitamins B, C, potassium, folic acid, lutein, and caroteinoids. There are many varieties of spinach but the most common one is the dark green variety and this is what we are going to plant. Accordingly, the darker the leaf, the better it is for consumption.
To expound on the benefits of spinach, you need t know that on top of vitamins and minerals, it ahs macronutrients such as protein and amino acids. It has very low calorie content which makes it perfect for people under weight loss programs. One cup of spinach only contains about 49 calories but it has 6 grams of protein. A single cup can provide 12% of the daily protein requirement of a man. A cup of spinach also contains essential amino acids that the human body cannot manufacture on its own. Essential amino acids are important components of nutrition that humans must get form external sources like plants.
Spinach also has a large amount of Threonine at 257 mg per cup. This acts as a transport agent that helps phosphorus and phosoproteins reach their specific destinations. It is a vital component of forming collagen and elastin and is an indispensable part of the central nervous system, cardiovascular muscles, and the skeletal system.
Preparing and Planting
Dig the soil to about 30 centimeters in depth. This is the ideal depth since the spinach's tap root can grow to this length. Before planting the seeds, make sure you have conditioned the soil. This means you need to mix the soil with compost, preferably organic compost such as manure. This will ensure provision of nutrients for the soil. The soil type should be moist but not waterlogged. If necessary, you may need to add lime f the soil is acidic. Spinach will struggle growing in acidic soil.
Next, plant the seeds. Sow the seeds seven centimeters apart. The rows should be about 30 centimeters apart. Plant the seeds in a place that does not experience very high temperatures. You may need soil beds that you can move. Although spinach can grow in full sunlight, make sure that they do not get scorched.
Tending and Harvesting
An inch of water per week is strongly advised. If you observe yellowing of the leaves' edges, this means that the soil is acidic and you might need to measure its pH level and add lime. Remove weeds that grow so as not to have competition on the soil's nutrients. Water the spinach regularly especially in times when the rain hardly comes by
In as early as four weeks, you may harvest your spinach. Actually, it depends on you if you want to harvest earlier. As long as the spinach leaves look big enough to eat, then you may go and harvest. This will taste great on your salad since it is fresh. You can harvest the entire plant or simply select a few leaves and let it grow back. Just keep in mind that sand and soil clings on the spinach. Make sure that you wash it thoroughly before eating.