Planting Spinach ‘Turkana’: cool soil, quick cuts, steady flavor

Spinach ‘Turkana’ is a fast salad-maker when you give it spring or fall conditions. Cool soil, steady water, and quick harvests are the secret to baskets of clean, tender leaves.

Context & common issues

• Identity. Spinach is Spinacia oleracea, a cool-season leafy green in Amaranthaceae. It’s sensitive to day length and heat, so plan for spring and fall windows UMN Extension.
• Soil & pH. Performs best near pH 6.5–8 in fertile, well-drained soils with added organic matter UMN Extension, USU Extension.
• Temperature. Seeds germinate best roughly 55–65°F; growth quality declines when highs push past ~75°F USU Extension.

“Spinach grows best when temperatures do not exceed the mid-seventies; heat speeds bolting and reduces quality.” — Dan Drost, Vegetable Specialist, Utah State University Extension USU Extension

Useful stat: For home plantings, thin spinach to 2–4 inches between plants, rows 18–30 inches apart, and water to supply about 1 inch per week as a baseline, increasing on sandy soils UMN Extension, USU Extension.

Key terms

• Bolting: the rapid switch to flowering triggered by long days and heat; leaf quality drops.
• Baby-leaf cut: early harvest of small leaves for salads, promoting regrowth.
• Row cover: lightweight fabric that protects seedlings from cold and leafminers without overheating.

Framework: sow, thin, water, harvest

1) Sow into cool, friable soil

• Depth: plant seeds ¼–½ inch deep in a fine, moist seedbed; avoid crusting.
• Timing: early spring as soon as soil is workable, and again late summer for fall harvests UW–Madison Horticulture, UMN Extension.
• Containers: use a deep pot with rich, well-drained mix; avoid heat buildup against south-facing walls UC ANR Master Gardeners.

2) Thin and space for airflow

• Final spacing: thin to 2–4 inches in row; keep rows 18–30 inches apart for air and clean harvests UMN Extension.
• Use thinnings: transplant extras or eat them as microgreens.

3) Water and feed for steady growth

• Moisture: aim for roughly 1 inch/week; mulch lightly to keep soil cool and clean USU Extension.
• Fertility: side-dress a modest nitrogen boost once plants size up; avoid excess that can make thin, sappy leaves UW–Madison Horticulture.

4) Control bolting

• Shade in heat: provide afternoon shade during warm spells and keep soil consistently moist to delay flowering UMN Extension.
• Choose slow-bolt types: ‘Turkana’ is sold for vigor; in any case, harvest early and often. If a plant sends up a stalk, harvest the rest quickly.

5) Harvest clean and often

• Baby-leaf: start once leaves reach a few inches; cut outer leaves and let the center keep growing UMN Extension.
• Whole rosettes: for spring plantings, cut at soil line before heat arrives; fall crops often give larger, sweeter leaves UW–Madison Horticulture.

Tips & common mistakes

• Hot greenhouse syndrome: starting in structures that trap heat pushes plants to bolt. Vent and move outdoors promptly when safe USU Extension.
• Soil crusting: heavy overhead watering can seal the surface; switch to a fine rose or soaker.
• Leafminers: protect seedlings with row cover; remove mined leaves quickly UMN Extension.

FAQ

What is Spinach ‘Turkana’ exactly?

It’s a marketed cultivar of S. oleracea selected for vigor and tender leaves. You can grow and harvest it like other modern slow-bolt spinach types. For general culture, rely on extension guidance cited here.

Should I give spinach shade?

Full sun is fine in cool weather. In warm spells, light afternoon shade helps keep plants from bolting UMN Extension.

Can I grow ‘Turkana’ in a container?

Yes. Use a deep pot, rich mix, and consistent water. Avoid heat stress on patios and near walls UC ANR Master Gardeners.

Safety

• Washing greens: rinse harvested leaves thoroughly to remove grit, especially from savoyed types UW–Madison Horticulture.
• Row cover handling: keep fabric off tender leaves with hoops to prevent abrasion UMN Extension.

Sources

• Growing spinach and Swiss chard – University of Minnesota Extension (extension.umn.edu)
• How to grow spinach in your garden – Utah State University Extension (extension.usu.edu)
• Spinach, Spinacia oleracea – University of Wisconsin–Madison Horticulture (wisc.edu)
• Spinach in containers – UC ANR Master Gardeners (ucanr.edu)