When to Harvest Spinach Seeds The Complete Guide
People who garden at home often choose spinach because it is easy to grow and full of nutrients. But a lot of growers forget that they can save spinach seeds for later planting. It’s important to collect spinach seeds at the right time to get good seeds that will grow into healthy plants. This guide tells you how to harvest spinach seeds correctly, how to tell when the seeds are ready, and how to store them after harvest.
When Are Spinach Seeds Ready to Harvest?
Depending on the type, spinach seeds can be harvested 90 to 120 days after they are planted. When the seed heads are completely dry and brown is the best time. Here are some signs spinach seeds are mature:
- Seed pods turn light brown and split open
- Seeds are hard with a papery coat
- Leaves are shriveled and dry
- Stems and branches are brittle
Seeds harvested too early may not germinate well. Waiting too long increases the risk of mold and rot. Check seed pods daily as harvest time approaches.
How to Harvest Spinach Seeds
Use these steps for harvesting spinach seeds:
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When the pods are mostly dry and ready, cut off each seed head individually or cut the plants in half at the base.
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Spread seed heads or whole plants in a single layer on a tarp, row cover fabric, or screen.
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Allow to dry for 1-2 weeks until completely brittle.
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Rub heads between hands or tread plants to remove seeds.
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Sieve and winnow seeds to remove chaff and debris.
Tips for Success
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Wear gloves and a mask to avoid irritation from seed dust.
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Leave some seed heads on plants so you don’t take all the seeds.
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Harvest in morning when seeds are dry.
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Check seeds frequently as they can go from ripe to overripe quickly.
Drying and Storing Spinach Seeds
Proper drying and storage helps maintain seed viability. Follow these guidelines after harvest:
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Spread seeds in a single layer and allow to dry for 1-2 weeks.
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Place fully dry seeds in an airtight container.
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Store in a cool, dry location away from sunlight.
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Ideal temperature is 40-50° F.
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Seed viability is approximately 6 years with proper storage.
With the right timing and techniques, it’s easy to harvest and store spinach seeds for future plantings. Pay close attention to signs of maturity, and allow seed heads to fully ripen before harvesting. Proper drying and storage will help ensure spinach seeds remain viable for years to come. Growing your own spinach from harvested seeds allows you to preserve heirloom varieties year after year.
Common Pests and Diseases
Common pests include aphids and slugs, and downy mildew is a common disease for spinach.
How to Grow Spinach
Spinach is a nutrient-rich green that is easy to grow in the garden. Because spinach needs longer days and cooler temperatures, it may be easier for growers in the north to save spinach seeds.
Spinach needs to be far away from other plants in order to be pollinated by wind, but most gardeners take it out of the garden before it bolts, which may make it easy for seed savers to grow spinach and save seeds from it.
Plant spinach outdoors as soon as soil can be worked. Sow in spring and late summer. Spinach tolerates cool weather.
Sow seeds ½ inch deep in rows 6-8 inches apart.
If you want to grow spinach for seed, space the plants 8 to 12 inches apart in rows 22 to 30 inches apart, or at least 12 inches on center.
SPINACH SEEDS – 2 EASY Ways to Harvest Spinach Seeds!
FAQ
How do you know when spinach seeds are ready?
Generally, spinach is ready to harvest 45 to 50 days after seeding. Expect a bit slower growth if temperatures are particularly cold, or if you’re growing in a location with less than full sun.
What does it look like when spinach goes to seed?
When a spinach plants starts to go to seed, the leaves change and resemble an arrowhead. This more angular shape is often the first sign that your plant is coming to the end of its life cycle.
How to dry out spinach seeds?
Spread the seeds out over the area so they don’t touch. Let the seeds rest for a week to ten days before gently stirring them with your finger or a small spoon. Let them dry for another two to three weeks. At this point, they should be dry enough to put into storage.
When to harvest spinach?
It’s best to collect spinach seeds in late spring or early summer, after the plant has flowered and the seed pods have started to dry out and turn brown. Spinach grows best in cool weather. When the pods are completely dry and the seeds are still inside is the best time to collect the seeds.
How does one eat spinach?
You can eat spinach raw, sautéed, in salads, pies, with fruit juice, in omelets, soups and broths, and in any other way that suits your fancy.
When should I plant spinach seeds?
If you plant spinach seeds in the late fall through mid-winter (anytime from a few weeks before the first frost to a few weeks after it), the seeds will sit dormant in the soil all winter long and germinate very early the following spring. This will yield an early to mid-spring harvest.
How do you harvest spinach seeds?
Harvesting spinach seed is a relatively simple process, but it does require a few essential tools. With a pair of scissors or garden shears, an air-tight container, a screen or sieve, and a few days of drying time, you’ll be able to collect and save spinach seeds for future use. 3. How do you determine when the spinach seeds are ready to harvest?
How do you know if spinach seeds are ready to harvest?
Check the stems. When the stems of the spinach plants start to turn yellow, it’s a sign that the seeds are ready to be harvested. Listen for a rattle. When you shake the seed pods, you should hear a rattling sound. This is a sign that the seeds are ready to be harvested.
How much spinach should I Harvest?
Continue harvesting until you have as much spinach as you need (but not more than 25-30% of the leaves on a single plant). Harvest spinach from the outside in. Not only is it easier to reach the leaves, but those are the older leaves that are typically larger, and it allows the young leaves inside to continue to grow.