Organic farming of spinach; tips to remember

Organic farming is considered as an efficient method to grow crops and to produce nutrient rich yields. This technique avoids the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides that is toxic for the human body. They use eco-friendly products as manures, fertilizers and pesticides. Organic farming maintains a harmony with the nature and the living organisms.

Here we are going to check about the planting techniques of spinach.

Spinach is a healthy green leaf vegetable which we use in our day to day life. They are a rich source of fibre and nutrients. Spinach originated in Persia. They come under the family tree of “Amaranth” where the other branches include beets and quinor.

The medical benefits of spinach include; increases eye power, reduces oxidative stress, helps to defend cancer and reduces blood pressure levels.

Spinaches are either eaten raw or cooked.

Spinaches are cultivated in different seasons. Some are cultivated in early springs, some during the fall and some in winter seasons. They are best adapted to cold conditions. During the day time, these crops require full sun and regular irrigation. They should be planted in loose soil rich with nutrients. Before planting the crops, the soil is well applied with organic compost up to 8 inch depth. Check the farmland and remove large rocks and crush chunks of soil from the farmland.

As an additional resource, organic nitrogen products such as Alfalfa meal or blood meal for the healthier growth of the leaves. They are very productive when they are grown in cool temperatures. The germination of seeds requires temperature between 7-24 degree Celsius. Soil pH level should be high to produce better yields.

To be specific, the peat soil is appropriate for the cultivation of spinach. Mainly cover crops, manures and compost are added to the soil. Slowly the cover crop decay and increases the microbial activity. Along with spinach other rotational crops are cultivated to defend some diseases and nematodes. They even help to reduce weed population.

Cover crops play a major role in the cultivation of spinach. They prevent soil erosion, refine soil tilth and helps in nutrient management.

Even though they prefer cold, they are well grown under full sun and the standard pH of the soil should be 6.5-7.5. Since the spinach plants will have long tap roots, the beds should be ploughed enough and made loose for the roots to penetrate.

During the time of sowing, the seeds are directly applied to the soil about ½ inches deep. Apply required amount of water and always try to maintain the moisture content in the soil. Moisture content helps in the growth of the plant and hinders bolting. One way to keep up the moisture content is through mulching. Mulching also prevents the growth of weeds.

When the crops reaches maturity, irrigation is done about 4-6 days during summer season and 10-12 days during winter season. In most of the cases, drip irrigation is practiced.

To avoid weeds, methods like crop rotation, covering crops and planting designs are considered.

To increase the growth rate, organic fertilizers like fish emulsion and compost tea are applied.

Major pest that affects spinach are:

• Spinach blight
• Flea beetles
• Leaf miners
• Cutworms and wireworms
• Slugs and snails
• Aphids

Common diseases affecting spinach crops are:

• Damping-off
• Downy mildew
• Viruses

When all these factors are considered, the crop becomes ready to harvest after 25-30 days of sowing.