STRONG TO THE FINISH

Five favorite spinaches to plant for fall and winter harvest, plus more tips and tasks for autumn

SPINACH IS ONE of my favorite greens to grow for autumn and winter harvesting. It’s outstanding in fall garden beds or tucked under the protective cover of a cold frame or mini hoop tunnel.

I direct sow spinach seed in late summer through early autumn, as it grows best in cool weather and the seeds don’t germinate well when the temperature is over 85 degrees F). When summer sowing, boost germination rates by adding compost before planting and keeping the soil consistently moist.

There are three types of spinach you can plant: arrowhead, smooth leaf and savoy leaf. As the name suggests, arrowhead spinach plants produce plenty of arrow-shaped leaves. Smooth-leaf varieties are fastgrowing and easy to clean. Savoy-leaf spinaches have attractive, crinkly leaves. They are known for their excellent flavor.

Here are 5 spinach varieties to plant this autumn: ‘Space’ is a standout in the cool-season vegetable garden, producing a generous crop of spoon-shaped leaves. A year-round delight, this cultivar is ideal for spring, summer with some shading), autumn and winter and it goes from seed to harvest in just 45 days. It’s also highly resistant to downy mildew, a common spinach disease.

For a classic autumn green, try Bloomsdale’, a cold-tolerant variety with deep green, crinkled leaves. It’s quick growing and vigorous, and the harvest begins just five to six weeks from planting. Bloomsdale’ is one of the most popular spinaches to grow.