Buy 2 or more items from my store and get free packet of seeds.
Growing instructions
CULTURE:Spinach grows in a wide range of soils if moist and fertile, but is sensitive to acidity; pH should be at least 6.0, preferably 6.5-7.5.
SOWING DATES:Spinach germinates best in cool soil. Begin sowing in early spring as soon as the ground can be worked. Summer sowing in soil over 85°F (30°C) risks low or erratic germination. If sowing has to be done during warmer weather, irrigating can help cool the soil and improve germination. Sow in mid to late summer for a fall harvest. Spinach can also be planted from late summer until freeze-up in protected structures for fall, winter, and spring harvest. Using floating row covers offers additional winter protection.
PLANTING AND HARVEST:For baby leaf: Sow in a 2-4" wide band, 3/4" apart, about 40 seeds/ft. Clip small leaves in 3-5 weeks, depending on time of year and speed of growth. Triple-rinse leaves, sort out cut and broken leaves, and package. For a continuous supply, sow every 7 days. For bunching and full size: Sow 10 seeds/ft., 1/2" deep, rows 12-18" apart. Harvest spinach full size but before bolting, cutting just below root attachment for "rooted spinach", or cut higher for "clipped spinach".
STORAGE:Store at 32°F (0°C) and 95% relative humidity for 10-14 days.
AVG. DIRECT SEEDING RATE:For full-size leaves: 10M/1,000', 290M/acre at 10 seeds/ft. in rows 12-18" apart. For baby leaf: 1M/25', 25M/125', 1,200M/acre at 40 seeds/ft. in rows 18" apart.
Spinach is loaded with nutrients and antioxidants, and considered to be very healthy.
Eating spinach may benefit eye health, reduce oxidative stress, help prevent cancer and reduce blood pressure leves.
Vitamins and Minerals
Spinach is an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals:
Vitamin A: Spinach is high in carotenoids, which the body can turn into vitamin A.
Vitamin C: Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that promotes skin health and immune function.
Vitamin K1: Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting, and one spinach leaf contains over half of your daily need.
Folic acid: Also known as folate, or vitamin B9. It is essential for normal cellular function and tissue growth, and is very important for pregnant women.
Iron: Spinach is an excellent source of this essential mineral. Iron helps create hemoglobin, which brings oxygen to the body's tissues.
Calcium: Calcium is essential for bone health. This mineral is also a crucial signalling molecule for the nervous system, heart and muscles.
Spinach also contains several other vitamins and minerals, such as potassium, magnesium, and vitamins B6, B9 and E.
BOTTOM LINE:Spinach is an extremely nutrient-rich vegetable. It contains high amounts of carotenoids, vitamin C, vitamin K, folic acid, iron and calcium.
Plant Compounds
Spinach contains several important plant compounds, including:
Lutein: Lutein is linked to improved eye health.
Kaempferol: This antioxidant is linked to a decreased risk of cancer and chronic disease.
Nitrates: Spinach contains high amounts of nitrates, which may promote heart health.
Quercetin: This antioxidant may ward off infection and inflammation. Spinach is one of the richest dietary sources of quercetin.
Zeaxanthin: Like lutein, zeaxanthin can also improve eye health.
BOTTOM LINE:Spinach contains many plant compounds that can improve health. These include lutein, kaempferol, nitrates, quercetin and zeaxanthin.
Health Benefits of Spinach
Spinach is extremely healthy and has been linked to numerous health benefits.
It has been shown to help decrease oxidative stress, improve eye health, aid in cancer prevention and help regulate blood pressure levels.
Oxidative Stress
Free radicals are byproducts of metabolism. They can cause oxidative stress, which triggers accelerated aging. This also increases the risk of cancer and diabetes.
However, spinach contains antioxidants, which fight oxidative stress and help reduce the damage it causes.
One controlled trial on 8 healthy people found that spinach helped prevent oxidative damage.
Although the study mentioned above was quite small, the findings are backed up by other animal and human studies.
BOTTOM LINE:Spinach has been shown to reduce oxidative stress. The antioxidants found in spinach may help fight aging and reduce the risk of cancer and diabetes.
Eye Health
Spinach contains high amounts of zeaxanthin and lutein, which are the carotenoids responsible for color in some vegetables.
Human eyes also contain high quantities of these pigments. They help protect our eyes from the damage caused by sunlight.
Additionally, several studies have indicated that zeaxanthin and lutein work to prevent macular degeneration and cataracts, which are the leading diseases that cause blindness.
These compounds may even be able to reverse existing damage.
BOTTOM LINE:Spinach contains lutein and zeaxanthin, which are beneficial for eye health. These compounds may help block or reverse the damage caused by sunlight.
Cancer Prevention
Spinach contains two components, MGDG and SQDG, which may slow down cancer growth.
In one study, these compounds helped slow tumor growth in a human's cervix. They also decreased the size of the tumor.
Several human studies link spinach consumption to a reduced risk of prostate cancer. Eating this leafy green may also help prevent breast cancer.
Another animal study supports this claim. Its findings indicate that spinach might help suppress cancer formation.
Additionally, spinach contains high amounts of antioxidants, which may also aid in cancer prevention.
BOTTOM LINE:Spinach contains high amounts of antioxidants and other compounds that may suppress the growth of human cancer cells.
Blood Pressure
Spinach contains high amounts of nitrates, which have been shown to help moderate blood pressure levels and decrease the risk of heart disease.
Several other studies also indicate that spinach may help moderate blood pressure levels, which leads to improved heart health.
BOTTOM LINE:Spinach contains high amounts of nitrates, which may help regulate blood pressure levels. This should lead to improved heart health and a reduced risk of heart disease.
Adverse Effects and Individual Concerns
Spinach is generally considered to be very healthy. However, it may cause adverse effects in some individuals.
Kidney Stones
These small stones are caused by acid and mineral salt buildup. The most common variety is calcium stones, which often consist of calcium oxalate.
Spinach is high in both calcium and oxalates, so people who tend to develop kidney stones should not eat large amounts .
Blood Clotting
Spinach contains very high amounts of vitamin K1.
Vitamin K1 serves several functions in the body, but is best known for its role in blood clotting.
People who are taking blood-thinners, such as warfarin, may want to closely monitor their vitamin K intake or avoid leafy greens altogether.
BOTTOM LINE:People who are prone to kidney stones may want to avoid spinach. It is also very high in vitamin K1, which can be a problem for people who take blood thinning medications.
Summary
Spinach is a nutritious, leafy green vegetable.
ating spinach has been shown to benefit health in several ways, and it contains high amounts of all sorts of powerful nutrients.
Spinach may decrease oxidative stress, improve eye health and help prevent heart disease and cancer.
Without a doubt, spinach is an incredibly healthy food.
Will be shipped from a greenhouse and florist called "Flower Shop Inc". Situated in Manhasset, New York. In business for 20 years and counting.