Alright folks, it's time to talk spinach - a cold weather crop that's not only super delicious, but also easy to grow. But growing spinach can come with its own set of challenges - from pests to diseases to poor germination. In this post, we'll be sharing some of the best practices to grow spinach like a pro.

First, let's talk types. There are three main types - smooth, savoyed, and semi-savoyed spinach. Now, smooth spinach grows faster but doesn't hold up as well as savoyed spinach after harvest. Savoyed spinach has less of the oxalic acid that can make spinach taste bitter for some folks. Remember this if you're selling your spinach - customers may be used to smoother spinach.

Now, let's get to the nitty-gritty of growing spinach. Germination can be the trickiest part of spinach production. Spinach doesn't like high temperatures, preferring an average temp of 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit or 18 to 21 degrees Celsius. Cool soils of the late winter are perfect for spinach germination. So if you want to get your seeds to sprout, try seed priming. Soak your spinach seeds overnight in water or some nutrients to improve germination rates.

When it comes to spacing, there are many different ways to do it. For direct seeding, baby leaf spinach should be seeded closer than bunching spinach. Sow the seed densely for direct seeding. If you're transplanting, do it as little as possible - it's just too much work. For bunching spinach, give them plenty of space with an eight by eight-inch grid.

As for diseases and pests, aphids can be a real issue with spinach. When you see them, act fast. Use insecticidal soaps or simply hose down the leaves to knock the aphids off. Airflow is critical for spinach growth, so make sure the leaves are relatively dry and have good airflow.

Now, when it comes to harvest, baby leaf spinach can be harvested using something like the quick cut Harvester. However, it may make regrowth a little less marketable by chopping it up. For regular leaf spinach, just hold the cluster of four or five plants in one hand and cut it all at once.

Last but not least, let's discuss pricing. We sell spinach at the market for 12.50 up to 15 dollars per pound. Depending on the season, we can sell it for between 9 to 10 dollars per pound.

Growing spinach can be both productive and easy. You can grow delicious spinach like a pro in no time. So get out there, get your hands dirty, and start growing!