Spinach is a great crop to grow in small spaces, both indoors and outdoors. You can easily grow spinach in containers, small garden beds, or even in cups indoors to have fresh greens year-round. Spinach loves cool weather, needs good drainage, and thrives in well-fertilized soil. With proper care, you can keep your spinach producing in small spaces throughout the seasons. Even if you’re short on garden space, you can successfully grow spinach indoors with the right light conditions and variety selection.
Choosing the Right Spinach Variety
Not all spinach varieties are created equal when it comes to small-space growing. Opt for compact, fast-growing varieties such as Bloomsdale, Baby’s Leaf, or Space. These are known to grow well in containers and small spaces. If you’re planning on growing spinach indoors, baby spinach is a perfect choice because it matures quickly, and you can harvest it multiple times over a season.
Pro Tip:
Some spinach varieties, like Space, are slow to bolt (flower and go to seed), which is ideal for indoor setups where you might have higher temperatures.
Selecting Containers for Small Spaces
Spinach has a relatively shallow root system, so you don’t need large containers to grow it. A pot that is at least 6-8 inches deep will work well for outdoor patios, windowsills, or even your kitchen counter. You can also grow spinach in hanging baskets to save space on the ground. For an indoor setup, small cups or shallow trays are sufficient. Recycled containers like yogurt cups or tin cans (just poke holes for drainage) can work well too, making this a sustainable and budget-friendly project.
Indoor Growing in Small Cups:
Yes, you can grow spinach in small cups! Choose cups that are at least 4-5 inches deep to give the roots room to expand. Place them on a windowsill where they can get plenty of light. This is an easy way to maintain spinach production year-round. Simply harvest the leaves when they’re young, and the plant will keep producing more!
Best Soil Mix and Drainage
Good drainage is crucial to prevent root rot, especially in small containers. Use a lightweight potting mix that’s rich in organic material. If you’re growing spinach indoors, mix in some compost or worm castings to ensure the plants get a consistent nutrient boost. Make sure your containers have drainage holes at the bottom; otherwise, the roots can get waterlogged. Adding a layer of small pebbles or perlite at the base of your containers will further improve drainage.
Pro Tip:
For a DIY soil blend, mix two parts peat moss or coco coir with one part compost and one part perlite. This combination holds moisture while allowing excess water to drain away.
Light and Water Requirements
Spinach is a cool-weather crop and doesn’t need intense sunlight to thrive. For outdoor containers, place them in partial shade if you live in a warmer climate, or full sun if it’s cooler. Indoors, spinach needs at least 4-6 hours of indirect sunlight. If you don’t have a bright window, you can use grow lights to supplement the light and keep your spinach healthy.
When watering spinach in small spaces, it’s important to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. The top inch of soil should feel slightly damp. Over-watering in small containers is easy, so always check the moisture before adding more water.
Fertilizing for Success
Because spinach is a fast-growing plant, it quickly uses up the nutrients in its soil, especially in small containers. Add an organic, slow-release fertilizer at planting time to give it a boost. Once your spinach is growing, a liquid seaweed or fish emulsion fertilizer applied every couple of weeks will help keep the plants thriving. Just be careful not to over-fertilize, as this can lead to lush leaf growth but a bitter taste.
Harvesting and Encouraging Continued Growth
The best part of growing spinach in small spaces is that you can harvest continuously. Begin harvesting spinach leaves once they reach a size of 3-4 inches. Always pick the outer leaves first, leaving the inner leaves to continue growing. This method, known as “cut and come again,” allows the plant to produce more leaves over time.
Indoor Winter Harvests:
If you’re growing spinach indoors in small cups, you can keep a year-round supply by planting new seeds every 2-3 weeks. This way, you’ll always have some spinach maturing while other plants are being harvested.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
- Bolting: Spinach is sensitive to heat and will quickly go to seed if it gets too warm, which makes the leaves bitter. Keep your containers in cooler areas or choose heat-resistant varieties.
- Pests: Aphids and leaf miners are common pests that can damage spinach leaves. For small-space gardeners, handpicking pests is easier, or using insecticidal soap can keep them in check.
- Yellow Leaves: If the lower leaves of your spinach are turning yellow, it might be a sign of nitrogen deficiency. Adding a diluted liquid fertilizer should correct this issue.
Spinach All Year: Keep the Cycle Going
With a little planning, you can enjoy spinach from your small garden year-round. Rotate indoor and outdoor plantings based on the seasons. In colder months, move your production indoors, using grow lights if necessary. During spring and fall, grow spinach outdoors in containers, and when summer arrives, you can stick with indoor setups where the temperature stays cooler. This way, you’ll never run out of fresh greens.
Learn more in my latest book, Get a Green Thumb: A Beginner’s Guide to: Spinach on Amazon.
