After Growing a 150-Variety Garden: This Bikaner Coach Shares Lessons for Cultivating Spinach This October

October is a good time to grow spinach on your terrace in many parts of India, as temperatures begin to ease after the summer heat. With a few containers, suitable soil, and regular care, even a small terrace can provide fresh palak for everyday meals. The key is to give the plants enough light, maintain moisture in the soil, and choose growing conditions suited to the season.

Vijay Sharma, a swimming coach at SP College in Bikaner, Rajasthan, knows the satisfaction of harvesting vegetables at home. He began gardening in 2017 after noticing that the quality of market-bought cluster beans was declining. Pleased with the results, he started growing spinach, okra, chillies, and other vegetables. During the COVID-19 lockdown, he expanded his garden to cover 1,500 square feet, growing more than 150 varieties of vegetables and medicinal plants.

In a conversation with The Better India published in October 2021, he shared how he prepared his growing medium, reused household materials as planters, and cared for his plants. His experience offers useful lessons for those planning to grow spinach this October.

1. Choose a suitable container

Spinach grows well in containers, making it a practical choice for terrace gardeners. Choose a pot or grow bag at least six to eight inches deep, with drainage holes to prevent water from collecting around the roots. A wider container allows you to grow several plants together.

The expert found creative ways to expand his garden when gardening supplies were difficult to access during the lockdown. He reused discarded drums, old tyres, and broken plastic containers as planters.

For spinach, use a clean container that allows excess water to drain freely. Avoid overcrowding the plants, as adequate space helps leaves develop well.

2. Prepare a nutrient-rich growing medium

Healthy leaves begin with good soil. Spinach needs a growing medium that retains moisture without becoming waterlogged.

Sharma explains that he uses soil mixed with cow dung manure or cocopeat, with these materials accounting for around half of his growing mix.

For spinach, combine garden soil with well-rotted compost and cocopeat to create a loose, moisture-retentive medium. Use mature compost rather than fresh manure, which can damage plants and is unsuitable for direct application to leafy vegetables.

3. Sow seeds directly into the pot

Spinach seeds can be sown directly into the container where the plants will grow. Place them in shallow furrows, cover lightly with soil, and water gently.

Keep the soil moist while the seeds germinate. Once seedlings appear, thin them out if they are growing too close together. This gives the remaining plants room to develop healthy leaves.

October is suitable for sowing spinach in many parts of India, particularly northern regions where temperatures begin to fall. In warmer areas, choose a cooler spot on the terrace and avoid exposing seedlings to excessive afternoon heat.

4. Give spinach adequate sunlight

Spinach needs sufficient sunlight for healthy growth, but intense heat can cause it to struggle. Choose a spot that receives several hours of sunlight, preferably in the morning if your terrace becomes very hot later in the day.

The gardener has observed how vegetation can influence temperatures in his garden. He explains that creepers shelter his plants from direct sunlight and help cool the garden during summers when temperatures in Bikaner can approach 50 degrees Celsius.

For spinach, aim for a balance. Avoid deep shade, but provide some protection from harsh afternoon sun in warmer regions.

5. Water regularly without soaking the soil

Spinach needs consistent moisture, especially during germination and early growth. Dry soil can affect leaf development, while excess water can damage the roots.

Sharma advises beginners to pay attention to watering. “Watering the plants is equally important for their healthy growth,” he says.

Check the soil regularly and water when the surface begins to dry. Water gently around the base of the plants, allowing excess moisture to drain through the container. Pots exposed to strong sunlight or dry winds may need more frequent checks.

6. Feed the plants and keep an eye on their leaves

A growing medium enriched with compost gives spinach a good start. If the plants remain in the same container for several weeks, add a light layer of mature compost around them to replenish nutrients.

Inspect the leaves regularly for holes, discolouration, or pests. Remove damaged leaves and avoid overcrowding, which can restrict airflow.

The gardener advises beginners to grow seasonal vegetables and says that plants need occasional trimming. For spinach, remove damaged foliage while leaving healthy leaves and the central growing point intact.

7. Harvest without uprooting the plant

Once the outer leaves are large enough to use, harvest them carefully while leaving the central growing point undisturbed. This allows the plant to continue producing leaves.

The first harvest may be ready in around four to six weeks, depending on the variety, temperature, and growing conditions. For a more regular supply, sow small batches of seeds at intervals rather than planting everything at once.

Sharma’s terrace garden shows how growing vegetables at home can begin with a simple experiment and expand over time. For beginners, a couple of spinach containers are a good starting point. 

TBI Gardening Calendar brings together what to plant, grow, and care for each month of the year, helping home gardeners make the most of their balconies, terraces, backyards, and small growing spaces. Each story focuses on seasonal plants and crops, with simple, practical guidance on when to sow or plant, how to care for them, and what to expect as they grow.

Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: thebetterindia.com