Spinach Surprise

This fall, I decided to cover my garden with leaves for the first time. I was aware that doing so would benefit my garden by providing mulch to break down as a way to fertilize/add nutrients to the soil. It also is a way to suppress weeds, as it covers the top soil for the season. Seeing as we have a steady pile of leaves in our yard, I figured I'd give this a go.

What I didn't realize was that this leaf cover would also provide the needed insulation for things to sprout up in the garden very early in the season. I had planted a late season crop of spinach last summer that never ended up sprouting. After adding the leaves over the top, the seeds that remained there were forgotten.

I removed the leaves the other week to begin preparing my soil for the upcoming season, and discovered that I already had an early season crop. The spinach finally decided to grow, and while it's not going to be any significant harvest, it's great to already have greens that can be harvested. I live in a 5b growing zone, so to have spinach growing this soon is swell, especially doing so with out any type of greenhouse or more permanent structure.

I'm going to have to try this again to a greater extent next season!