Spinach is one of the most satisfying winter crops to grow that is rich in vitamins. It has dark green leaves that are really good for health and is used as salad. We can successfully grow this crop if we start sowing seeds as soon as possible in the spring season.
This crop can be grown throughout the year in spite of being a winter season crop. The main plus point of this crop is that it can be grown on all soils but sandy loam soil having pH 7.0 is best for its cultivation.
Sowing time and seed Rate
Winter crops should be sown in September-October and spring/summer crops in mid-February to April. Palak is grown almost throughout the year, if you are growing in winters take 4-6 kg and for summers take 10-15 kg of seeds per acre.
The seed should be sown at a depth of 3-4 cm and at 20 cm apart in a row.
Manures and Fertilizers
10 tonnes of farmyard manure with 35kg of Nitrogen(urea should be 75kg) and 12 kg of P2O5( superphosphate should be 75kg) per acre.
Before sowing, apply whole farmyard manure, P2O5 and half of N. Apply the remaining half in two splits cutting followed by irrigation.
Irrigation
First irrigation should be done immediately after sowing. In summers, subsequent irrigation should be done at an interval of 4-6 days and 10-12 days in winters.
Harvesting
Spinach is ready to cut after 3-4 weeks of sowing. Cutting should be done at an interval of 20-25 days depending on the variety of spinach and season it is being cultivated. In summers only one cutting should be taken.
Production of Seed
1. Minimum 1000 meters should be maintained all around palak seed field from other varieties.
2. 50 cm x 30 cm distance should be maintained Row to Row and plant to plant.
3. For field inspection skip one row after every five rows.
4. Minimum of three field inspections should be made for getting the good type of seeds.
5. The First inspection should be made at the vegetative phase
6. The Second inspection should be made at the bolting phase.
7. Third and last inspection should be done before harvesting the crop.
8. The crop should be harvested when most of the late-ripening seed stalk turns brown.
9. After harvesting the crop should be left on the field for curing and drying for a week before seed threshing.
10. To conclude, spinach is a healthy vegetable that can be grown easily in your kitchen garden too.
Interested readers can also read about the top 6 winters vegetables to grow in the kitchen garden.
