How to Grow Spinach Space

Spinach Space

Spinacia oleracea 'Space'

vegetable

Spinach Space is a modern spinach cultivar bred for compact growth and extended harvest potential. This variety produces dense, tender leaves ideal for fresh eating and cooking, with improved bolt resistance compared to traditional spinach varieties. It's a cool-season crop that thrives in spring and fall gardens.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours minimum); afternoon shade beneficial in hot climates

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Water: Consistently moist soil; provide 1-1.5 inches weekly. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water at soil level to prevent fungal issues.

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Spacing: 4-6 inches

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Days to maturity: 40-50

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Planting depth: 0.5 inches

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.5-7.5

Amendments:

compost aged manure peat moss balanced fertilizer (10-10-10)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Zones 3-9; best in cool seasons (spring and fall)

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

Growth Stages

Germination

7-14 days

Seeds begin sprouting; first cotyledons (seed leaves) emerge from soil

Keep soil consistently moist. Maintain cool temperatures (50-70°F). Thin seedlings once first true leaves appear.

Seedling

2-3 weeks

True leaves develop; plants form small rosettes with 2-4 leaves

Thin to proper spacing (4-6 inches). Provide adequate light to prevent leggy growth. Keep soil moist.

Vegetative Growth

2-3 weeks

Plant develops dense basal rosette; leaves expand and become darker green

Water consistently. Begin light harvesting of outer leaves once plant has 4-6 true leaves. Monitor for pests. Spinach Space's compact habit becomes evident.

Mature Leaf Stage

1-4 weeks (depending on season and temperature)

Plant reaches harvestable size with full, tender leaves ready for picking

Harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage continued production. Cool weather extends this stage. Watch for flowering signals (warmer temps, longer days).

Bolting/End of Season

Variable; accelerates in heat

Central flower stalk emerges; leaves become bitter and coarser in texture

Harvest immediately if not already done. Pull plants and compost. In fall crops, this occurs less rapidly than spring plantings.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

strawberry onion garlic lettuce radish pea tomato cucumber carrot beet

Avoid planting near:

potato fennel

Common Pests

Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.
Remove affected leaves. Use row covers for prevention. Spinosad-based insecticides effective.
Improve air circulation; water at soil level. Use resistant varieties when available. Remove infected leaves. Apply sulfur or copper fungicide if needed.
and
Hand-pick, especially at night. Use slug traps or barriers. Encourage ground beetles.
Plant resistant varieties. Control aphid vectors. Remove infected plants immediately.

Uses

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Fresh and Cooked Greens

Culinary

Spinach Space's tender leaves are excellent raw in salads, smoothies, and sandwiches, or cooked in soups, stir-fries, and side dishes. The compact growth habit makes this variety ideal for container gardening and fresh market sales. [source]

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Nutritional Dense Superfood

Medicinal

Rich in iron, calcium, vitamins A, C, and K, plus lutein and zeaxanthin for eye health. Spinach contains oxalates which may affect mineral absorption in some individuals. [source]

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Natural Food Dye

Household

Fresh spinach juice can be used as a natural green food coloring agent for baking and cooking applications. The chlorophyll content provides vibrant color. [source]

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Pollinator and Beneficial Insect Support

Wildlife

When allowed to bolt, spinach flowers attract bees and other pollinators. Allows beneficial insects like parasitic wasps to complete their life cycles. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Begin harvesting outer leaves when plant has 4-6 true leaves (about 3-4 weeks after planting). Harvest in the morning for best quality. Cut leaves at soil level or pinch outer leaves, leaving the growing center intact for continued production. Whole plants can be harvested when reaching desired size. Regular harvesting extends productivity. Space variety typically reaches full harvestable size in 40-50 days. Harvest before temperatures exceed 75°F consistently, as heat accelerates bolting.

Fun Facts

🌱 The name 'Space' references the cultivar's breeding and selection, often part of modern vegetable breeding programs that focus on efficiency and adaptability to contemporary gardening methods.
🌱 Spinach is technically not a true leaf vegetable in the botanical sense—the edible parts are actually the expanded petioles and laminae, making it botanically distinct from lettuce.
🌱 Spinach is one of the few vegetables that actually becomes more nutrient-dense when cooked, as heat breaks down cell walls allowing better absorption of iron and calcium, though heat-sensitive vitamins like C decrease.

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