One of our first garden learning experiences was growing spinach. We planted organic spinach seedlings in early May. Nick Mancini’s patented “seaweed and compost in the bottom of each hole” method was employed and we were excited for the growing experience.

Growth was slow and steady. One week went by and we fed our spinach organic Garden Tone fertilizer and the results were amazing.

A couple weeks later our spinach was thickening and the leaves were dark green. Things were great.

The growth continued for another week and a half until one day we arrived to tend the garden to a surprise. The spinach had flowered, the roots popped out of the ground, and the stems and leaves turned brown.

Instead of having homegrown spinach for shakes, salads, and meals…. twenty beautiful spinach plants were utterly destroyed.

Fortunately, we took this as a learning opportunity instead of a setback. We learned that our spinach had “bolted” meaning that we had let it flower. We should have began harvesting a week earlier.

We learned that we could have harvested the entire plant by cutting them right above the stem or we could have periodically taken spinach leaves from the outside of the plant (no more than 25% of the plant at one time.)

Here are our tips for beginning gardeners: Learn about each plant you grow. Is it best to prune at a certain time? How long will it take your plant to seed, flower, or bolt? What’s the best way to harvest? What are good plant companions for your fruits and veggies? What’s the best type of soil for your crop? Will you have to add specific nutrients?

We had no idea about any of this going into the gardening experience. Like life, gardening is a learning experience. We’re learning, having fun, and growing awesome fresh organic produce.

Happy growing!