As a lover of leafy greens spinach has always been one of my staple vegetables. I add it to soups smoothies, salads, and more. But it wasn’t until I started growing my own spinach that I discovered the beauty of spinach seeds. These tiny specs pack a punch when it comes to nutrition and plant growth. In this article, we’ll take a close look at spinach seeds – what they are, what they look like, and how to grow your own “spinach patch”.
What are Spinach Seeds?
Spinach seeds are the small, dry fruits that develop after spinach plants flower and go to seed. Inside each spinach seed is a tiny embryo that will sprout and grow into a new spinach plant under the right conditions.
Spinach is an annual plant, meaning it completes its entire lifecycle in one growing season. Once spinach gets exposed to prolonged cold weather, it “bolts” and sends up tall stalks topped with small white flowers. These flowers are pollinated and produce clumps of green, oval fruits As the fruits mature and dry out, they split open to reveal the seeds inside
What Do Spinach Seeds Look Like?
Spinach seeds are very small, measuring 1 to 2 mm long. They have a slightly flattened, oval shape and pointed ends. When fresh, spinach seeds are typically green but fade to beige or light brown as they dry out. The seed coat has a slightly wrinkled texture.
Here’s a quick rundown of spinach seed identification:
- Size: 1-2 mm long
- Shape: Slightly flattened and oval-shaped
- Color: Green when fresh, beige/light brown when dried
- Texture: Slightly wrinkled seed coat
Spinach seeds are tiny and feather-light. About 170,000 spinach seeds make up just one ounce! When stored properly in a cool, dry place, spinach seeds can remain viable for 3-5 years.
Comparing Spinach Seeds to Seeds of Similar Plants
Although tiny, spinach seeds have some distinguishing characteristics compared to seeds of other leafy greens. Here’s how spinach seeds stack up against some lookalikes:
Lettuce Seeds – Similar size and shape but lighter in color (off-white or tan) Surface is smooth rather than wrinkled,
Chard Seeds – Larger in size (3-4 mm long) and more elongated in shape. Golden brown color.
Beet Seeds – Much larger in size (5-6 mm) and rounded shape. Reddish-brown color.
Quinoa Seeds – Flatter shape and smoother texture. Vibrant yellow color.
How to Harvest Spinach Seeds from Your Garden
Want to collect your own spinach seeds? Here are some tips for harvesting and storing spinach seeds from homegrown plants:
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Allow a few spinach plants to bolt and go to seed in late spring/summer. The seeds will form in summer and mature by mid fall.
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Monitor the plants closely and harvest once the fruits are completely dry and brown. If you pinch a fruit between your fingers and it cracks open, the seeds inside should be dry and brown.
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Pick the seed pods off the plants and place them in a paper bag. Don’t use plastic which can trap moisture.
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Crush the pods by hand or with a rolling pin to separate the seeds. Discard the pods and chaff.
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Spread seeds in a single layer on paper towels and allow to dry for 1-2 weeks.
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Place fully dry seeds in an airtight container like a glass jar or envelopes. Store in a cool, dry location.
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Label seeds with plant type and harvest date. Seeds remain viable for 3-5 years when stored properly.
How to Plant Spinach Seeds
Ready to grow your own spinach patch? Planting spinach from seed is easy and rewarding! Follow these tips for spinach seed starting success:
When to Plant – Sow seeds 2-4 weeks before your last spring frost date. Spinach thrives in cool weather.
Where to Plant – Choose a spot with full sun and nutrient-rich, well-draining soil. Amend with compost if needed.
How to Plant – Sow seeds 1⁄2 inch deep in rows 12-18 inches apart. Space seeds 1 inch apart within rows.
Germination Time – Seeds germinate in 7-14 days at soil temperatures of 45-75°F.
Care – Water soil regularly to keep moist. Add mulch once seedlings emerge. Thin overcrowded plants.
Harvest Time – Baby spinach leaves can be picked in as little as 25 days! Cut outer leaves rather than uprooting whole plants.
Spinach is the gift that keeps on giving. As you harvest spinach leaves, the plants will continue producing more, extending your harvest window. A small investment in spinach seeds yields a big return in homegrown greens!
The Nutritional Benefits of Spinach Seeds
We all know spinach leaves are a nutritional powerhouse. But did you know spinach seeds also pack some impressive health perks? Here’s an overview:
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Rich in protein – Spinach seeds contain over 20% protein. The protein in spinach seeds is considered high quality and easy to digest.
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High in fiber – The fiber content clocks in around 20% which aids digestion.
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Source of omega-3s – Spinach seeds provide alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acid.
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Antioxidant content – Spinach seeds are rich in carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin which have antioxidant and eye health benefits.
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Phytonutrient profile – Spinach seeds provide an array of phytonutrients that may help reduce disease risk.
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Mineral content – Spinach seeds contain iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and more.
So don’t throw away those spinach seeds – eat ‘em! Spinach seeds lend great texture when sprinkled onto salads, yogurt, oatmeal, and more. They can be blended into smoothies, energy bites, granola bars, and bread. Sprouted spinach seeds are also edible and full of crunch.
Creative Ways to Use Spinach Seeds
Beyond planting and eating, spinach seeds offer some crafty uses too. Here are a few projects to try:
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Create unique art by gluing spinach seeds onto paper, wood, or canvas. Their oval shape and green hue make them perfect for nature-inspired masterpieces.
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Fill empty tea bags with spinach seeds for a DIY herbal tea. Enjoy the mild, earthy flavor and nutritional perks.
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Stuff an old sock with spinach seeds to create a DIY hand warmer. Simply heat in the microwave and apply to sore areas.
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Use spinach seeds as pet bird feed. Their small size is perfect for pet finches, canaries, and parakeets.
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Make “seed tape” by adhering spinach seeds onto biodegradable paper strips with flour paste. Use the tapes to help space and plant seeds.
Don’t let those leftover spinach seeds go to waste! With so many uses, these tiny seeds pack a lot of punch.
Press Down on Spinach Seeds to Ensure Good Soil Contact
I work with all the seeds out in the open so I can easily see how far apart they are and fill in any blank spots. Once all your seeds are planted out, used your hands to pat each seed gently into the soil. I say gently because you still want the soil to have some air pockets—thats key for seed germination.
Its important that each seed have good soil contact. If seeds don’t have good soil contact, they might sprout when they get wet, but then their roots will grow above the soil. This will make weak plants that will never do well.
While you can cover the spinach seeds with soil, its not required. If you choose to cover, use only a very light sprinkling of compost.
Give your seeds a nice watering in and keep the soil evenly moist while the spinach is growing.
Elevate your backyard veggie patch into a sophisticated and stylish work of art
The author, Nicole Johnsey Burke, is the founder of Rooted Garden, one of the best culinary landscape companies in the US, and Gardenary, an online kitchen gardening education and resource company. Kitchen Garden Revival walks you through every part of kitchen gardening, from planning to harvesting.
how does spinach seeds look like | How do you get seeds from spinach?
What does spinach look like?
Spinach forms a rosette of dark green leaves that can be flat or crinkled (savoy leaf spinach). Spinach is related to beets and Swiss chard of the amaranth family. Spinach articles on Harvest to Table:
Where does spinach come from?
Spinach is a is a leafy green flowering plant originated in Persia. The vegetable has many health benefits provided by its antioxidant substances, vitamins such as folate, magnesium and vitamin A, as well as fiber, which help to reduce the risks of developing chronic diseases. Spinach is also a source of other substances beneficial to the body, such as lutein, which can help reducing the incidence of macular degeneration, one of the main causes of blindness in the elderly.
What does a spinach seed sperm look like?
Spinach seed sperm (the pollen) (below, right) are mobile and small. Spinach eggs are large and round, and don’t develop until fertilized. The female plant ‘going to seed’ (l.) and the spinach seed sperm (the pollen) (r.) As you clean out for winter, don’t pull out all of those spent spinach plants just yet! 1.
What do baby spinach leaves look like?
When they first pop out of the ground, baby spinach seedlings will have two long and narrow leaves. These are called the “seed leaves”. All of the ones that grow after that are called “true leaves”. The true leaves look like the mature ones, only they are much smaller.
