{"id":8744,"date":"2023-08-07T03:33:08","date_gmt":"2023-08-07T07:33:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ifoxany.com\/?p=8744"},"modified":"2023-08-07T04:19:04","modified_gmt":"2023-08-07T08:19:04","slug":"how-to-plant-and-grow-strawberry-spinach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ifoxany.com\/index.php\/2023\/08\/07\/how-to-plant-and-grow-strawberry-spinach\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Plant and Grow Strawberry Spinach"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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More heat tolerant than common spinach, strawberry spinach is an easy plant to grow, and it will reward you with gorgeous, edible berries and leafy greens too.<\/p>

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PHOTO:\u00a0<\/span>

MICHELR45 \/ GETTY IMAGES<\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Native to the United States and Canada, strawberry spinach is an attractive, annual vegetable that is cultivated for its nutritious leafy greens and bright red fruit.\u00a0The arrow-shaped leaves of this plant look and taste a lot like\u00a0common spinach\u00a0and can be used in fresh salads or cooked dishes. While the vibrant fruit may\u00a0look a lot like strawberries, the flavor is milder and slightly sweet.<\/p>

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Editor’s Tip<\/h3>

Use moderation when eating this plant\u2019s seeds, as\u00a0they can be toxic when consumed\u00a0in large quantities.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

Strawberry Spinach Overview<\/h3>
GENUS NAME<\/td>Blitum capitatum<\/td><\/tr>
COMMON NAME<\/td>Strawberry Spinach<\/td><\/tr>
PLANT TYPE<\/td>Annual, Vegetable<\/td><\/tr>
LIGHT<\/td>Sun<\/td><\/tr>
HEIGHT<\/td>16 to 20 Inches<\/td><\/tr>
PROPAGATION<\/td>Seed<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>
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Where to Plant Strawberry Spinach<\/span><\/h2>

Strawberry spinach grows best in full sun and loose, well-draining, and loamy soil.\u00a0If your soil is dense or nutrient-poor, enrich it with compost or aged manure before you sow your strawberry spinach seeds.\u00a0These highly adaptable plants can grow in soil with a pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.5.

For small-space growers,\u00a0strawberry spinach can also be grown in containers.\u00a0Just make sure that any container you choose is well-draining and at least a foot deep.<\/p>

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How and When to Plant Strawberry Spinach<\/span><\/h2>

Strawberry spinach doesn\u2019t transplant well, so direct sowing is generally recommended. To plant your strawberry spinach, sow seeds in your garden in spring as soon as the soil is workable.\u00a0Scatter your seeds in rows spaced 18 inches apart and cover your seeds with \u00bc inch of soil.\u00a0After the seeds have sprouted and developed two sets of true leaves, thin your spinach seedlings, allowing 12 inches between each plant.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

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Care Tips for Strawberry Spinach<\/span><\/h2>

While strawberry spinach is related to common spinach, it hasn’t been cultivated as long and remains truer to its wild form.\u00a0This plant can adapt to a range of growing conditions; however, understanding its growing needs will help you grow healthier plants.<\/p>

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Light<\/span><\/h3>

Strawberry spinach should\u00a0receive 8 to 12 hours of full sun.\u00a0Gardeners in hot climates may want to locate their plants in an area that receives partial afternoon shade to slow down bolting (flowering).<\/p>

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Soil and Water<\/span><\/h3>

Like other leafy greens, strawberry spinach will grow best in light,\u00a0well-draining soil\u00a0that is rich in organic matter.\u00a0Adding compost or aged manure to your soil can help support plant growth and help the soil retain water better.<\/p>

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To slow bolting and grow healthier plants, strawberry spinach should be watered regularly and deeply, so that the soil remains moist but not soggy.\u00a0 Ideally, your plants should receive about 1 to 2 inches of water per week.<\/p>

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Temperature and Humidity<\/span><\/h3>

Strawberry spinach is a hardy plant that\u00a0can tolerate light frost\u00a0and some heat.\u00a0While this plant grows best at temperatures between 45 and 75\u00b0F, it will bolt when temperatures get hot.\u00a0However, when strawberry spinach bolts, it produces its distinct, edible berries.

Strawberry spinach can handle some humidity, but it may\u00a0develop powdery mildew\u00a0in certain conditions.\u00a0For this reason, always water in the morning and keep leaves dry by directing water to the base of your plants.<\/p>

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Fertilizer<\/span><\/h3>

Strawberry spinach\u00a0should be fertilized every 5 to 7 weeks\u00a0throughout the growing season with a quality liquid or granular fertilizer.\u00a0Opt for a balanced fertilizer or one that\u2019s rich in nitrogen, which will help support the growth of lush leaves.<\/p>

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Pruning and Harvesting<\/span><\/h3>

Strawberry spinach leaves are ready to harvest as soon as they are a usable size.\u00a0Picking leaves often will also encourage your plants to produce more greens.\u00a0Berries should only be harvested after they turn red.<\/p>

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Strawberry spinach easily self-sows, so if you don\u2019t want your plants to spread,\u00a0deadhead berries\u00a0before they are fully mature. Removing old or damaged leaves will also improve the look and health of your plants.\u00a0<\/p>

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Pests and Problems<\/span><\/h2>

Aphids are sap-sucking insects\u00a0that can cause leaf deformation and leave behind a sticky \u201choneydew\u201d residue on plants as they feed.\u00a0To treat for aphids, try spraying your plants with a strong blast from your garden hose, or treat your strawberry spinach with an organic insecticidal soap or neem oil spray.<\/p>

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Flea beetles are small, black insects that are well-known for their rapid jumping movements when disturbed.\u00a0Adding floating row covers at the beginning of the gardening season can keep these pests away, while existing infestations can be\u00a0treated with neem oil.<\/p>

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Slugs and snails can quickly riddle leaves\u00a0with holes.\u00a0Placing slug traps baited with stale beer or old orange juice around your garden can protect your plants.<\/p>

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Companion Plants for Strawberry Spinach<\/span><\/h2>

Lettuce\u00a0and strawberry spinach have similar growing requirements and won\u2019t compete with each other for light and nutrients.

Many common garden pests are naturally repulsed by the strong scent of\u00a0leeks\u00a0and other alliums.\u00a0\u00a0Interplanting these types of plants\u00a0with your strawberry spinach will help protect your strawberry spinach from pest predation.

Radishes\u00a0are cold hardy plants that grow quickly and don\u2019t take up a lot of space.\u00a0Growing them with your strawberry spinach will ensure you get the most out of your garden beds.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

More heat tolerant than common spinach, strawberry spinach is an easy plant to grow, and it will reward you with gorgeous, edible berries and leafy greens too. PHOTO:  MICHELR45 \/ GETTY IMAGES Native to the United States and Canada, strawberry spinach is an attractive, annual vegetable that is cultivated for its nutritious leafy greens and bright red fruit. The arrow-shaped leaves of this plant look and taste a lot like common spinach and can be used in fresh salads or cooked dishes. While the vibrant fruit may look a lot like strawberries, the flavor is milder and slightly sweet. Editor’s Tip Use moderation when eating this plant\u2019s seeds, as they can be toxic when consumed in large quantities. Strawberry Spinach Overview GENUS NAME Blitum capitatum COMMON NAME Strawberry Spinach PLANT TYPE Annual, Vegetable LIGHT Sun HEIGHT 16 to 20 Inches PROPAGATION Seed Where to Plant Strawberry Spinach Strawberry spinach grows best in full sun and loose,…<\/p>\n

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