American Spinach

source: MIgardener

Fall is the perfect time to grow spinach because the days are getting shorter and cooler. You can sow directly in the bed in September, but to get a longer harvest, you can start spinach seeds in flats indoors beginning in August so you can have a longer harvest. When starting spinach indoors, plant the seeds into a tray or pot at least 4 inches deep, because spinach seedlings develop a deep taproot and you want to give the roots plenty of room to grow.

When sowing seeds in a tray or directly into the garden, plant the seeds about ½ inch deep deep and 3 to 6 inches apart, and then press the soil firmly over the seeds and water them right away. Keep the soil continuously moist and germination will usually occur in 5 to 10 days. Spinach is a heavy-feeder, which means it likes an especially nitrogen-rich soil. Mix the fertilizer into the soil before planting, and then plant your seeds or transplant your spinach seedlings into the amended soil.

Once the seedlings have germinated and are about 3 to 4 inches tall, fertilize them once a week with dilute fish emulsion or another nitrogen fertilizer, and lush, dark green leaves will develop and quickly grow.

When the first frost day (October 23 in zone 7A) approaches, take measures to cover with protection from frosts. You may even be able to overwinter the spinach this way, if it is a mild winter.