How long does it take for spinach to sprout?

Spinach is a common green leafy vegetable that is loved by people for its rich nutritional value and unique taste. Moreover, spinach is very cold-resistant and has a wide adaptability. It is one of the important vegetables in autumn and winter, and its planting prospects are very broad. So how long does it take for spinach to sprout and emerge from the soil? Let’s learn more about it below.

How long does it take for spinach to sprout?

Spinach usually germinates between 3 and 7 days, but this time may vary depending on specific environmental conditions and seed treatment methods. Usually spinach seeds germinate fastest in an environment of 15-20℃. If the temperature conditions are suitable, they can germinate within 3-5 days. In other words, pre-treatment of spinach seeds by drying them in the sun and germinating them can also speed up their germination and emergence.

How to treat spinach seeds to make them germinate faster?

1. Seed selection

Selecting plump, healthy seeds is the first step to growing spinach successfully. Avoid using old or damaged seeds, as they may have a lower germination rate. Generally, the germination rate of spinach seeds stored for 1-2 years is higher, while the germination rate of seeds stored for 3-5 years may drop to about 50%.

2. Drying seeds

Before planting spinach, you need to place the seeds in the sun for 1-2 days to increase the germination rate after sowing.

3. Seed soaking

Soak the seeds in clean water for 12-24 hours to soften the seed coat and promote water absorption. After soaking, the seeds should be dried in a cool place until the surface moisture is reduced.

4. Low temperature treatment

For seeds sown in summer and autumn, the soaked seeds can be stored at 4°C for 24 hours to break the dormancy period. This can be achieved by placing the seeds in the cold compartment of the refrigerator.

5. Germination

Place the soaked seeds in an environment of 15-20℃ to germinate, rinse with clean water once a day to keep the seeds moist. Generally, after 3-5 days, the seeds begin to turn white and can be sown.

6. Key points for sowing

Before sowing, water the bed surface thoroughly and use a toothed rake to lightly loosen the soil so that the seeds are buried in the soil, then cover it with a layer of wood ash. After sowing in summer and autumn, use straw or a small arch shade net to cover the spinach to prevent the effects of high temperatures and heavy rains. At the same time, keep the soil moist, and the seedlings will generally grow in 6-7 days. When sowing in winter, you can cover the bed surface with plastic film to keep warm, increase the soil temperature, and promote the germination and growth of spinach.

In general, the time when spinach germinates and emerges from the soil will be affected by many factors, but the germination rate and growth quality of spinach can usually be significantly improved by selecting high-quality seeds, proper pretreatment, reasonable sowing and good post-sowing management.