How to Grow Hydroponic Spinach Indoors Without Soil

Spinach: A garden crop that is simple to grow and has many health advantages. Sadly, a lot of gardeners reside in places where spinach can only be grown in the spring and fall. Some gardeners have attempted to produce hydroponically grown spinach at home to prolong the season, but with mixed results. Some people find that hydroponically grown spinach indoors becomes bitter. This raises the question, "How do you grow hydroponic spinach that tastes good?" for home gardeners.

Growing spinach hydroponically is more challenging than growing other green crops like lettuce or plants. Despite the comparable growing methods, there are a number of problems that might result in bitter-tasting spinach or crop loss. Try the following tips to increase your success rates.

Hydroponic Spinach Germination

With hydroponics, germinating spinach seeds is simple. Soak the seeds in water for 24 hours to soften their outer coating. Then, place them in a growing medium like rockwool cubes. Keep the medium moist and maintain a temperature of about 70°F until the seeds sprout, which usually takes 5 to 10 days.

It's time to move your spinach seedlings to your hydroponic system after they have a few genuine leaves. To prevent harming the fragile roots, proceed with caution. Gently place the seedling in the net pot, making sure the rockwool cube is pushed all the way down to the bottom of the net pot.  This will ensure the roots receive the proper watering and nutrition.

Optimal Growing Conditions for Hydroponic Spinach

To properly set up your hydroponic microclimate controls, you first need to understand the ideal growing conditions for spinach. Normally, spinach grows best in the spring, so with traditional farming, you have to worry about the right planting season. However, with hydroponic farming, you can grow and harvest spinach all year-round while still enjoying its amazing health benefits.  Just keep the following things in mind:

A Gradual Increase in Nutrient Concentration

Avoid overfertilizing spinach, especially in the beginning. After the spinach seedlings are moved into the hydroponic system, start feeding them. Commercial growers advise starting with a lesser hydroponic fertilizer solution (about ¼ strength) and progressively increasing the strength. An excessive amount of nitrogen is indicated by leaf tip burn. Extra calcium and magnesium are also beneficial for indoor hydroponically grown spinach.

To meet the developing requirements of your spinach plants, you will need to progressively increase the intensity of your fertilizer solution during the initial days following transplanting. Over the course of a week or two, start with a diluted solution and progressively raise the concentration.

Water and pH Level

When it comes to watering and feeding your hydroponic spinach, consistency is important. To guarantee consistent feeding cycles, set a timer for your water pump. Frequent, brief watering cycles are ideal for spinach. Keep an eye on your reservoir's water level and add more as necessary, being careful to preserve the nutritional content. This keeps your plants from flooding or being hungry.

It's critical to maintain the proper pH level. A pH of 5.8 to 6.5 is somewhat acidic, which is ideal for spinach growth.

Temperature and Humidity Control

Regulate the temperature. Spinach is a cool-weather crop that thrives in temperatures between 65- and 70-degrees Fahrenheit (18–21 degrees Celsius) during the day and between 60- and 65-degrees Fahrenheit (16–18 degrees Celsius) at night. Spinach bolts in warmer weather, making it more bitter.

Make sure that your spinach plants have adequate room to develop and breathe. Mold and mildew can be avoided with enough ventilation.  You can place a fan nearby to help circulate the air.

Light Requirements

Regarding light, spinach thrives on a schedule of 12 hours on and 12 hours off. Although direct sunlight is ideal, high-pressure sodium, fluorescent, or LED illumination can also be used. When it comes to leaf creation, blue light is the greatest option if your setup permits you to select light color bands.  You can also look for a white light that is on the cooler side, which is 5000K (Kelvin) or greater.

Harvesting Hydroponic Spinach

It's best to harvest spinach a little at a time. The plants won't actually grow back if you remove all the leaves at once. Plan to re-germinate every two to three weeks to ensure you have enough spinach for harvesting if you want to keep an abundant supply.

Spinach is a perfect "cut and come again" plant, just like basil, lettuce, and most other leafy greens. You leave the remainder to return after harvesting a small portion at a time. Your spinach still need light for photosynthesis, which is why you want to preserve part of the leaves. It is how plants make the carbohydrates and sugars they require to generate additional leaves. Naturally, the purpose of growing spinach hydroponically is to collect these same leaves.

How Long Does it Take to Grow Spinach with Hydroponics?

The time it takes to grow spinach hydroponically can vary depending on the system you use and the type of spinach you plant. Usually, it takes around 40 to 50 days to grow from seed to harvest. But if you’re using an aeroponic system that helps the plants grow faster, you can harvest your spinach in as little as 35 days!

How to Store Hydroponic Spinach

Rinse the spinach leaves in cold water after harvesting, to get rid of any dirt or debris. After patting them dry, keep them in the fridge for up to five days in a plastic bag or sealed container. To preserve its freshness and nutritional content, spinach must be handled and stored correctly after harvest:

• Washing: To get rid of any dirt or debris, gently rinse the collected leaves with cold water.
• Drying: To get rid of extra moisture, pat the leaves dry with a fresh, absorbent towel or use a salad spinner.
• Storage: Keep the dried, clean spinach leaves in the fridge for up to five days in an airtight container or resealable bag.

These harvesting and post-harvest methods will guarantee that your spinach stays tasty and fresh.