What to know
Colorado ’s alone climate give both opportunity and challenge for gardening enthusiasts . One of the most rewarding vegetable to develop in this region is spinach plant , a leafy green packed with nutrients and flavor . Thiscomprehensive guidewill provide you with all the essential information you need tosuccessfully grow spinachin Colorado ’s various mood .
Understanding Colorado’s Climate for Spinach
Colorado ’s mood is characterized by insensate winters , warm summers , and blue humidity . The growing time of year for spinach vary calculate on the specific location , but ittypically beginsin previous March orearly Apriland extends through October . leaping : bound temperaturesin Colorado can be irregular , with episodic frosts and snowstorms . Spinach is a dusty - tolerant craw that can hold up light frost , but it ’s important toprotect unseasoned plantsfrom extreme frigidness . Summer : Colorado summer aretypically warmand dry , withaverage temperature rangingfrom 70 to 90degrees Fahrenheit . Spinach prefers cool temperature , so it ’s important to provide shade during the red-hot part of the day . Fall : descent temperatures inColorado bit by bit cooldown , providing ideal weather for spinach growth . The tank temperatures and increase moisture encourage spinach toproduce tumid , sweet leave .
Choosing the Right Spinach Variety
There are many unlike variety of spinach available , each with its ownunique characteristic . When choosing a variety for Colorado , consider the following gene : Cold margin : Look for assortment that are mark as “ cold - tolerant ” or “ hardy . ” These variety canwithstand light frostsand cold temperatures . Disease Resistance : Colorado ’s ironical climate canmake spinach susceptibleto sure diseases , such asdowny mildew . select miscellanea that are tolerant to common disease . Maturity fourth dimension : Spinach varieties can be classified as early , mid - season , or late - maturate . Early - ripen mixed bag are idealistic forspring planting , while latterly - mature varieties are better suited for fall planting .
Preparing the Soil for Spinach
Spinach choose well - drained , rich soilwith a pH between 6.0 and 6.8 . Before planting , devise the filth by : Adding Organic issue : remedy the soil with compost or manure toimprove fertilityand drainage . Testing the Soil : Conduct asoil testto determine the pH level andnutrient content . Adjust the soil consequently , tot up limeif necessary to increase the pH.Creating recruit Beds : Raised bedscan help better drainage and extend the growing time of year in Colorado ’s unpredictable climate .
Planting Spinach
clock : industrial plant spinach seedsin later March orearly Aprilfor aspring crop , and in late August or early September for a nightfall harvest home . space : Plant seeds1/2inch deepand 2 column inch aside . fragile seedlings to 6 - 8 inch aside once they have developed their first true leaves . Depth : flora seedsjust below thesoil surface , covering them softly with soil . piss : water supply theseeds gentlyafter planting . Keep thesoil moistbut not soggy .
Growing Spinach in Colorado
tearing : Spinach requires regular watering , particularly during hot , dry conditions . Water deeply and infrequently , allowing the land to dry out out slightly between waterings . Fertilizing : fertilise spinachevery few weeks with abalanced fertilizer . ward off over - fertilizing , as this can conduct to tall-growing increase and reduce flavor . Mulching : Mulch aroundspinach plantstoretain moisture , suppress weeds , and modulate dirt temperature . Pest andDisease Control : Spinach is comparatively pest- and disease - tolerant , but it can be susceptible to aphids , slug , and downy mildew . monitor lizard set regularly and treat any plague promptly .
Harvesting Spinach
Spinach is quick to harvest when the leaves arefully developedand have arich green color . Harvest individual leaves as needed , or cut the integral works at the base . salt away Spinach : computer storage reap spinachin aplastic bagin the refrigerator for up to 5 day .
Frequently Asked Questions
Q : Can Igrow spinachin Colorado twelvemonth - round?A : No , spinach is not a twelvemonth - round crop in Colorado . Itrequires cooler temperaturesand can only be grown during the spring and evenfall . Q : How do Iprotect spinachfrom frost?A : Cover young spinach plantswithrow coversorplastic sheetingto protect them from frost . Q : What are the benefits ofgrowing spinachin Colorado?A : Growing spinachin Colorado cater numerous benefits , admit admission to fresh , nutritive - rich green goods , reduced food costs , and the gratification of growing your own food . Q : Can Igrow spinachfrom seed?A : Yes , spinach iseasily grownfrom come . Sow seed direct in the garden or take up them indoors in later wintertime . Q : How often should I irrigate spinach?A : Water spinach deeplyand infrequently , countenance the soil to dry out slightly between waterings . Q : What are thecommon pestsand disease that affect spinach?A : plebeian blighter and diseases ofspinach include aphids , slug , and downy mold . Monitor institute on a regular basis and plow any infestations pronto . Q : How can I improve the relish of spinach?A : To ameliorate the flavor of spinach , originate it in well - drain , fat soiland debar over - fertilise . Harvest Spinacia oleracea when the leaves are to the full developed and have a rich gullible coloration . Q : Can Igrow spinachin containers?A : Yes , spinach can be grown in container . prefer a container that is at least 12inches deepand wide and fill it with well - drained potting mix . Q : What are the bestcompanion plantsfor spinach?A : skillful fellow traveler plantsforspinach include lettuce , radishes , carrots , and onions . These plants havesimilar growing requirementsand can benefit each other when planted together .
