It is not fast growing like some of the brassicas. Nor does it have sexy colored viens like swiss chard or red russian kale. Harvesting spinach can be a true labor of love when each leaf has to be cut individually. Despite all of this, spinach is great. No, it's beyond great - it is one really cool plant. Here's why:
~ Spinach is a diecious crop meaning there are male and female plants. In the absence of any male pollen producing plants female flowers can ‘revert’ to become pollen-producing flowers, enabling continuation of the sexual reproduction cycle.
~ Spinach is one of the hardiest leaf crops. It grows best in sandy, porous soil but can adapt to a wide range of soils. Spinach germinates best in cool soil and can germinate at temperatures as low as 35 degrees Fahrenheit.
~ Spinach can grow at very low temperatures. Other leafy crops can tolerate the cold but will not grow. Spinach grown in the cold has higher concentrations of nutrients like vitamin C as well as higher sugar levels.
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