Spinach is a fast growing and cold hardy  leafy green plant which yields many leaves  
Spinach is a fast growing and cold hardy  leafy green plant which yields many leaves  

in a short period of time in the mild  weather of spring and fall. In this video  
in a short period of time in the mild  weather of spring and fall. In this video  

we will see the full life cycle of  growing spinach in our home garden.  
we will see the full life cycle of  growing spinach in our home garden.  

We will be growing the "Bloomsdale Long Standing"  variety. This variety can mature in 40-45 days.
We will be growing the "Bloomsdale Long Standing"  variety. This variety can mature in 40-45 days.

Although seeds can be started indoors, it is  not recommended as seedlings are difficult  
Although seeds can be started indoors, it is  not recommended as seedlings are difficult  

to transplant. Spring planting can be made  as soon as the soil can be properly worked.  
to transplant. Spring planting can be made  as soon as the soil can be properly worked.  

In order to give spinach the required 6 weeks  of cold weather from seeding to harvest it is  
In order to give spinach the required 6 weeks  of cold weather from seeding to harvest it is  

important to seed as soon as possible. For proper  germination soil should not be warmer than 70°F.  
important to seed as soon as possible. For proper  germination soil should not be warmer than 70°F.  

Sow the seeds half inch to one  inch deep cover lightly with soil.
Sow the seeds half inch to one  inch deep cover lightly with soil.

Spinach does best in full sun but does  tolerate partial shade. Improve the  
Spinach does best in full sun but does  tolerate partial shade. Improve the  

native soil by mixing in several inches of  aged compost or other rich organic matter.
native soil by mixing in several inches of  aged compost or other rich organic matter.

When seedlings sprout to about 2 inches  
When seedlings sprout to about 2 inches  

thin them to 3 to 4 inches apart. Beyond thinning  no cultivation is necessary. Roots are shallow  
thin them to 3 to 4 inches apart. Beyond thinning  no cultivation is necessary. Roots are shallow  

and can easily get damaged water  regularly and keep the soil moist.
and can easily get damaged water  regularly and keep the soil moist.

Because it is such a fast grower  spinach is also a heavy feeder.  
Because it is such a fast grower  spinach is also a heavy feeder.  

A fertilizer high in nitrogen will  help produce dark healthy leaves.
A fertilizer high in nitrogen will  help produce dark healthy leaves.

Spinach leaves are ready to harvest  as soon as they are big enough to eat.  
Spinach leaves are ready to harvest  as soon as they are big enough to eat.  

Spinach can be harvested in the cut and come again  method harvest by removing only the outer leaves  
Spinach can be harvested in the cut and come again  method harvest by removing only the outer leaves  

and allowing the center leaves to grow larger.  This will allow the plant to keep producing more  
and allowing the center leaves to grow larger.  This will allow the plant to keep producing more  

leaves. Picking the outer leaves also gives  the advantage of briefly delaying bolting.  
leaves. Picking the outer leaves also gives  the advantage of briefly delaying bolting.  

Over the next few days or weeks we  can continue to get more harvest.  
Over the next few days or weeks we  can continue to get more harvest.  

Spinach prefers temperature between 35°F to 75°F.
Spinach prefers temperature between 35°F to 75°F.

In the spring plants will grow tall and bloom as  soon as the days are longer and temperature starts  
In the spring plants will grow tall and bloom as  soon as the days are longer and temperature starts  

to get warmer, this is called as "bolting". Once  the plant has started to bolt it is time to make  
to get warmer, this is called as "bolting". Once  the plant has started to bolt it is time to make  

the final harvest and pull out the crop. After  bolting starts the taste of the leaves change  
the final harvest and pull out the crop. After  bolting starts the taste of the leaves change  

and it's better to just pull out the  crop at this time and plant another plant  
and it's better to just pull out the  crop at this time and plant another plant  

in this spot. Since it bolts in the lengthening  day of spring, spinach is a popular crop for fall  
in this spot. Since it bolts in the lengthening  day of spring, spinach is a popular crop for fall  

when the days are short and cool plants are  very cold hardy tolerating temperatures as  
when the days are short and cool plants are  very cold hardy tolerating temperatures as  

cold as in teens to low 20s once they are well  established. Spinach is packed with nutrients  
cold as in teens to low 20s once they are well  established. Spinach is packed with nutrients  

and as you just saw it is so easy to grow in  any home garden. If you haven't given this  
and as you just saw it is so easy to grow in  any home garden. If you haven't given this  

beautiful leafy green a try please do so.  Thanks for watching and happy gardening !!
beautiful leafy green a try please do so.  Thanks for watching and happy gardening !!