Spinach and weeds

[quanglewangle]

We use loads of spinach (Palco F1) but I've never figured out how to keep it weed free. Hands and knees and surgical tweezers would work I'm sure but I'm not that committed.

Any suggestions for efficient weeding of spinach?

[Plot70]

Put comfrey leaves between the rows. The sun turns them black so that they exclude the light until the rain washes them into the soil where they are useful.

[quanglewangle]

Plot70 thanks but between the rows isn't too big of a problem - I can hoe there.

It's more between the plants, which we sow quite thickly so can get a reasonable crop of young leaves. The weeds have a way of looking just like spinach.

Pretty soom we get a row of weeds with some spinach in amongst them.

[Nicos]

I’m a hands and knees weeder. My back prefers it that way!

Rather than pulling the weeds, had you thought of just cutting them off at soil level when they are young but getting larger?
That way you’re not disturbing the spinach roots.
Its pretty quick cutting through several stems at a time. You can leave the weed tops as a mulch . Grass weeds are different though ….

Or…would you consider sowing in modules and planting out through weed suppressant membrane?

[Mr Bones]

For next time you could spread a half inch thick layer of multi purpose compost over the surface before you sow, the spinach will germinate but the weeds won't.

[quanglewangle]

For next time you could spread a half inch thick layer of multi purpose compost over the surface before you sow, the spinach will germinate but the weeds won't.

Masterstroke Mr Bones

Edit: Now. done. Left a 1 metre old style as a control. (Straight rows next year)

[quanglewangle]

Ten days after adopting Mr Bones ' suggestion of sowing spinach into a layer of compost to suppress weeds.
No weeds on compost or control but much better germination/emergence in compost.
Seeds to left of yellow lines in compost and left of green lines direct into soil.