- 1). Prepare an area of the vegetable garden in late summer, preferably a spot that became vacant because a crop growing there matured and was recently harvested. Apply a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost to the surface of the planting row or bed. Incorporate it into the top 6 inches of soil by turning the soil over with a garden spade. Rake the planting area smooth when finished. Alternatively, incorporate 4 to 6 cups of 10-10-10, granulated all-purpose fertilizer into the soil instead of the compost.
- 2). Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep, about 1 1/2 inches apart, in rows 12 to 18 inches apart. Gently firm the soil over the seeds with your hand.
- 3). Water the seedbed with a garden hose fitted with a fine-mist sprayer nozzle. Check the seedbed daily and water as needed to keep it moist but not wet. Prickly-seeded spinach seeds should germinate in approximately seven to 10 days.
- 4). Thin the seedlings to stand about 3 inches apart when they are approximately 2 to 3 inches high. Transplant the thinned seedlings if their roots are not severely damaged. Or you can eat them.
- 5). Irrigate with a garden hose and sprinkler if rainfall is scarce, so the plants receive about 1 inch of water per week.
- 6). Harvest when the plants reach maturity in about 45 to 50 days, depending on the variety. You can harvest the larger, outer leaves and the plant will continue to grow, thus prolonging the harvest. Or you can pick the entire plant at maturity.
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