The Leafy Vegetable You Should Be Growing In Containers

Container gardens aren't just for flowers! Herbs and even many vegetables grow extremely well in them too. Whether you're trying this style of gardening because you live in an apartment with a balcony or just because you ran out of space in ground, you can still grow some fantastic crops. One of the best vegetables to grow in a container garden is delicious and nutritious spinach.

Spinach is a great plant for growing in small containers thanks to its relatively shallow root system and small size. This set up makes it easy to harvest and reseed too, since it is likely closer to your home than a raised bed would be. The ideal vessel for this only needs to be around 6 inches deep and able to hold about 2 gallons of growing medium. Make sure it has drainage holes on the bottom so the growing medium won't become soggy. 

There are a few different types of spinach you can grow. But regardless of whether you prefer smooth leaf or savoy, you should easily be able to find seeds from your local garden center or reputable online seed stores. Spinach is a cool season crop and tends to go to seed when temperatures start to climb and days get longer. If you want to keep harvesting in warmer months, it's best to look for a slow-bolting variety. 'Indian Summer' and 'Olympia' are both great options for this.

Spinach grows best when you direct sow the seeds into your container. And because spinach is frost tolerant, you can start it well before your last frost date. Just make sure temperatures are warm enough that your growing medium won't freeze. Before you sow the seeds, you should fill your containers with a fluffy and light potting mix – not with topsoil or garden soil. Since spinach is a heavy feeder, you can also add a scoop of slow-release fertilizer to the mix.

Find a spot for your container where it will receive at least four hours a day of direct sunlight. As the days lengthen and warm, you may want to provide it with slightly more shade. Pots are easy to move to shadier spots, though, making this another advantage of growing in containers. Be sure you stay on top of watering since pots can dry out quickly. Spinach, unlike most crops, benefits from regular shallow watering.

You can harvest your spinach early in its growth. Either regularly cut individual leaves or pick the whole plant. Once it starts to bolt, the leaves will begin to taste bitter, so don't wait too long to enjoy your leafy garden bounty. You can plant another round of spinach in late summer to take advantage of the cool fall temperatures and shorter days.