By Judy Kunz, Colorado Master Gardener

Spring Into Spinach

Why not celebrate National Spinach Day on March 26 by planting a row of spinach. Packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and flavor, this easy-to-grow, leafy green will reward you with several consecutive crops into mid- to late June. Spinach is a cool weather lover that is quick to germinate and grow. Baby greens can be harvested about one month after seeding. Plant in full to part sun in well-draining, loamy soil with adequate organic matter. Prepare the soil by spading in a balanced all-purpose fertilizer up to about 10” deep and seed according to packet directions. Snip or pinch off leaves and the plants will continue to provide tasty greens. As warmer weather moves in by mid-June, spinach will bolt (sprout tall stalks that produce flowers). Bolting negatively affects the taste of most crops but a second crop can be planted in mid-August for fall harvest.