How to Grow Asian Spinach

Start amaranth when frost lifts in spring and soil temperatures reach 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The seeds of this sensitive plant won't germinate and grow in cooler temperatures. Set out a planting site that gets four to six hours of daily sun and good air circulation.

Prepare the soil for planting. Dig 3 to 4 inches of organic compost into the top 6 inches of soil to warm and nourish the planting foundation. Compost loosens the soil and retains moisture between waterings to keep the spinach moist. Add 16-16-8 or 10-10-10 fertilizer to the top 4 inches of soil for more nutrition.

Plant amaranth seeds 1/2 inch deep at every 3 inches in the row, with 12 inches between rows. Water the entire garden with 2 inches of water and lay 2 inches of organic mulch between the planting sites to maintain soil moisture between waterings. Put the spinach on a schedule of 1 to 2 inches of water every four to five days. Never allow this crop to go dry.

Fertilize Asian spinach again a month after seeding. Use high-nitrogen fertilizer like 21-0-0 to encourage more lush foliage growth. Mix the fertilizer into the soil around each plant, then water to dissolve the granules.

Harvest amaranth leaves as early as 30 days after seeding. Gather a handful of leaves and cut them off at the base for harvest. Leave the plants and maintain care throughout summer for new growth and continued harvest.