Spinach Red Malabar

Soil Preparation 

 pH:

• 6.0–7.0 test soil and adjust with lime or sulphur if needed. 

 Texture:

• Well drained, loamy soil enriched with compost or aged manure. 

 Drainage:

• Raised beds or mounds in heavy soils to prevent waterlogging. 

Planting Seeds 

 Depth:

• 1 cm deep. 

 Spacing:

• 15 cm between plants, 30 cm between rows. 
• Succession Planting: Sow every 2–3 weeks for continuous harvest. 

 Germination Tips:

• Soak seeds 12–24 hours before planting to improve germination.
• Use shade cloth or mulch in warmer areas to keep soil cool. 

Watering 

• Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. 
• Water deeply 2–3 times weekly; mulch with straw or sugar cane to retain moisture. 
• Avoid overhead watering to reduce disease risk. 

Fertilising 

• Apply balanced fertiliser at planting. 
• Side dress with a nitrogen rich fertiliser 4 weeks after germination. 
• Avoid over fertilising to prevent bolting. 

Pest & Disease Management 

 Pests: 

• Aphids – Spray with soapy water or neem oil. 
• Slugs/Snails – Use beer traps or diatomaceous earth. 
• Flea Beetles – Protect with row covers; plant radishes as trap crops. 

 Diseases: 

• Downy Mildew – Ensure good airflow, use copper based fungicides. 
• Spinach Blight – Remove infected plants, control aphids. 

Harvesting 

• Begin harvesting outer leaves when 10–15 cm long (6–8 weeks). 
• Pick in the morning for crispness; avoid damaging the crown. 
• Regular harvesting delays bolting.
• If bolting occurs, collect seeds or replace plants. 

Companion Planting Guide 

 Good Companions: 

• Beans/Peas – Fix nitrogen in soil. 
• Strawberries – Low growing, noncompetitive. 
• Radishes – Deter leaf miners, act as trap crops. 
• Lettuce/Cabbage – Share similar growing conditions. 
• Marigolds/Nasturtiums: Repel pests like aphids and nematodes. 

 Avoid Planting With: 

• Potatoes – Compete for nutrients. 
• Fennel – Allelopathic; inhibits growth. 

Troubleshooting 

 Bolting:

• Caused by heat/long days.
• Use bolt resistant varieties (e.g., ‘Perpetual Spinach’) and shade cloth. 

 Yellow Leaves:

• Overwatering or nitrogen deficiency.
• Adjust watering and fertilise. 

Container Growing 

• Use pots 20–30 cm deep with drainage holes. 
• Keep in partial shade during summer. 

Crop Rotation 

• Avoid planting after beets or chard (same family).
• Rotate with legumes or brassicas.