Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a popular leafy vegetable. Since the Middle Ages, people have valued vegetables for their nutrients and vitamins. But when spinach blooms, are the shooting vegetables still edible?

In a nutshell

  • the shooting of spinach marks the beginning of the flowering period, as the plants grow quickly
  • flowering provides a bitter taste and high nitrate levels
  • with the right site conditions, you can prevent shooting
  • possible responses are a quick harvest, cutting back, or not flowering
  • sowing is possible twice a year, which allows you to close gaps in the harvest

The blossoms

The heyday of Spinacia oleracea serves to preserve the plants. These form seeds to reproduce. In the middle of the spinach plant grows a stalk on which various flowers are located. The flower stalk usually reaches a height of 60-70 cm.

spinach shoots

When the spinach shoots, it has a negative connotation. The shooting of the spinach describes the beginning of the formation of flowers. Since this is happening at such a rapid pace, it is referred to as shooting the spinach. The flower stalks grow within a very short time and are significantly higher.

Possible causes are the following:

  • dry ground
  • a lot of sun
  • hot temperatures

Tip: When the spinach blooms and shoots, that's it often too late. With the right site conditions, you can prevent it. The spinach prefers sunny to semi-shady locations. This depends on the specific variety. Since the plant has deep roots, the soil should be permeable.

Left: spinach plant without flowers, right: Spinach with a flower and only regrows smaller leaves.

growth of the leaves

When spinach blooms, it doesn't grow gorgeous leaves. There are only small leaves on the flower stalk. However, there are often still large leaves in the lower part of the plant. These grow before flowering. It is widely believed that the leaves are not edible. But why are old leaves considered inedible after flowering?

There are two reasons:

  • nitrate
  • taste

Experts warn in connection with nitrate long-term damage. During flowering, the spinach increasingly stores nitrate, making the leaves inedible. Normally, the spinach greens will taste mild and tender. During the flowering period, however, the vegetable plant becomes more bitter.

Notice: The oxalic acid provides a bitter taste. Gardeners should plant the spinach when flowering quickly and completely harvest so that it is still edible.

Spinach is blooming - what to do?

At best, you manage to prevent the spinach from shooting and blooming. Alternatively, the following measures can be considered when the spinach is in bloom:

  • quick harvest
  • quick pruning
  • let it bloom
  • Remove plants - sow again

Spinach shoots - Quick harvest

When the spinach is in bloom, a quick harvest is recommended. At best, harvest all the leaves and store them in the refrigerator. It should be consumed within the next few days.

Large, edible leaves no longer grow again during flowering, only small, bitter leaves then grow on the stem. So you should harvest the big ones first.

Notice: As an alternative to direct consumption, you can also wash the spinach leaves thoroughly and then freeze them.

Fast pruning

As soon as flowering begins, many gardeners try to quickly cut back the vegetable plant. However, this approach is only successful in the rarest of cases. In the best case, the plant will sprout again so that you can harvest fresh spinach leaves again. Oftentimes, spinach will no longer thrive after pruning, requiring you to remove the plants for the long term.

remove plants

If you don't need seeds, you can remove the spinach plants from the garden entirely. These are useless after flowering.

Notice: Vegetable plants draw nutrients from the soil. You can make better use of the space in the garden.

Repeat sowing

The typical time when spinach shoots and blooms is summer. Luckily, you can plant the leafy greens multiple times a year, so you can start harvesting spinach leaves in just a few weeks. The second sowing of the spinach seeds succeeds from August to September.

Notice: With a frost-proof cover in winter, the next spinach harvest is due in spring.

Which pests endanger the harvest?

Spinach is a leafy vegetable that is relatively robust. Pests rarely visit the plant. However, hobby gardeners should watch out for signs of powdery mildew and slug infestation.

What care do leafy greens require?

The spinach plants prefer moist soil. Waterlogging inhibits growth. Nevertheless, you should water the plants generously during drought to prevent flowering. A permeable and loose soil structure is optimal.

How is the spinach harvested?

After sowing, it takes a maximum of eight weeks for the vegetables to be ready for harvest. With a regular harvest you stimulate the growth of the plants. To do this, cut off the leaves just above the ground. If the spinach hearts remain in the ground, they can be harvested up to four times a year. If necessary, you can also harvest individual leaves.

Category:

Vegetable garden