How to intercrop spinach
How to intercrop spinach
Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) is a herbaceous plant of the Amaranthaceae family, native to southwestern Asia.
This plant was introduced to Europe around 1000, although it only became increasingly important as a food during the 19th century.
The thick, green leaves of spinach are consumed both as a fresh vegetable and for the canning industry (in Italy mostly frozen).
Spinach can be eaten cooked or raw and the taste differs greatly; the high oxalate content can be reduced by steaming.
For its cultivation, consider that intercropping with some species can be very useful; among these it benefits from being grown together with leafy vegetables from the composite family (chicory, radicchio, lettuce, curly) or any of the cabbage family or other plants.
In the rotation, however, it is sufficient not to follow or precede the spinach with other chenopodiaceae plants (herbs, ribs, beets), to avoid excess nitrogen you can also decide not to plant spinach on land recently cultivated with legumes.
In general, therefore, spinach can be intercropped with different plants to promote mutual growth and reduce the risks of diseases and parasites. Here are some plants with which spinach goes well:
1. Chicory: intercropping with chicory is one of the most popular; chicory can be grown at a higher height than spinach, allowing for more efficient use of space in the garden. Additionally, chicory can provide partial shade to spinach, protecting it from excessive sun and reducing water evaporation from the soil. Chicory can act as a natural wind barrier, protecting spinach from drying out. The presence of chicory can help confuse or repel some insects harmful to spinach, thus reducing the need for pesticides. Additionally, chicory’s deep roots can help loosen soil and improve drainage, which can be beneficial to spinach growth. Among other things, the decomposition of chicory roots can enrich the soil with organic matter and nutrients, promoting the general health of the soil. Chicory and spinach have different growth times, allowing for effective crop succession. When the spinach is harvested, the chicory can continue to grow, allowing for continued use of the space.
2. Strawberries: Strawberries provide partial shade to spinach and protect it from high summer temperatures. Additionally, they can help keep the soil moist.
3. Peas: Peas can provide natural support for spinach and promote air circulation around the plants.
4. Lettuce: Lettuce, like chicory, has similar needs to spinach and can be planted near it to optimize garden space.
5. Onions: Onions can repel some pests that are harmful to spinach, such as onion flies; for this reason triple intercropping can be carried out, with spinach, onions and other plants that do not compete with these first two plants.
6. Carrots: Carrots can help spinach grow and vice versa, as carrot roots penetrate the soil differently than spinach roots, thus avoiding direct competition for nutrients.
In general, the presence of more plant species can promote a more diverse ecosystem, attracting a wider range of beneficial insects and improving the overall resilience of the agricultural system. However, the pedoclimatic compatibility of the association of the various plants must always be evaluated.