Harvesting Spinach from Grow Bags: My First Time

This year I tried growing a small patch of spinach in fabric grow bags for the first time. It was my first time planting spinach at all, so I was thrilled when the leaves filled out enough to harvest. Growing in grow bags worked beautifully. I could manage spacing, ease of watering, and keep things tidy.

When the outer leaves reached about 4 to 6 inches long, I knew it was time. Harvesting spinach feels so rewarding. Just snip and enjoy fresh greens from your own garden.


👩‍🌾 How to Grow and Care for Spinach in Michigan

Spinach thrives in Michigan’s (zone 6) cool spring and fall seasons. Here are my best tips, based on local recommendations from MSU Extension:

  • Planting season: Sow seeds in early spring (April) once the soil is workable, or again in late summer for a fall crop. You can plant spinach in grow bags; here is a link to grow bags on Amazon (affiliate link).

  • Soil prep: Use loose, well-amended soil with compost mixed in. A slightly alkaline or neutral pH works best.

  • Spacing and watering: Thin seedlings to around 3–6 inches apart so leaves have room. Keep soil moist without waterlogging.

  • Sunlight and temperature: Provide six hours of sun daily. Spinach grows between 35 and 75 degrees, and will bolt in heat.

  • Pest watch: Keep an eye out for aphids, flea beetles, leafminers, and fungal diseases. Use row covers, clean water schedules, and gentle garden care.

A great resource on local gardening is the Michigan State University Extension, check out their article on "How to Grow Spinach".



✂️ When and How to Harvest

Spinach can be harvested in a few different ways. I used the “cut and come again” approach:

  • Pick the outer leaves once they are 4 to 6 inches long, allowing the inner leaves to grow (YouTube, Ag & Natural Resources College).

  • Avoid taking more than 50 percent of leaves from a plant at once to keep it growing strong.

  • If you want a full harvest, cut the plant at the base. Keep an eye out for early bolting, when spinach sends up a flower stalk and the leaves might taste bitter.

These harvesting tips are clearly demonstrated in the video above, where you’ll see how to keep your plants productive.

🥗 Fun Facts About Spinach

  • Spinach is packed with vitamins A, B, C, iron, and calcium.

  • It remains one of the most cold‑hardy leafy greens and can survive light frost.

  • Smooth‑leaf and savoy (crinkled‑leaf) types are common. Many gardeners choose smooth types because they are easier to clean.

  • Spinach seeds stay viable for about two to four years and germinate best in soil temperatures between 35 and 75 degrees.

📝 Simple Wrap-Up

Growing spinach in grow bags was a delightful first gardening adventure this year. Watching those leaves multiply and savoring fresh salads made the effort feel so worthwhile. If you’re gardening in Michigan or a similar climate, spinach is a fantastic cool‑season crop to try in containers.

If you enjoyed this, you might like some of my other gardening posts where I share more about what’s growing in my backyard.

Did you grow spinach this year? How did it turn out? Share in the comments below.

Sensibly and simply yours,
Kat 

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Location: Michigan, USA

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