To get spinach seeds from a plant, allow some of your spinach plants to bolt (go to seed). These plants will develop seed stalks which you can then harvest, dry, and thresh to collect the seeds.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
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Allow Bolting: Select healthy spinach plants and let them bolt. Bolting occurs when the plant prematurely flowers and produces seeds, usually triggered by hot weather or long days. Don't harvest these plants for eating; let them focus on seed production.
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Observe Seed Stalk Development: The spinach plant will send up a tall seed stalk. You'll see small, flower-like structures develop along the stalk. These will eventually produce the seeds.
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Harvesting: The precise timing depends on the climate and spinach variety, but generally, you want to harvest when the seed stalks are dry and brown, and the seeds are hard and dark. You can harvest the entire stalk or individual sections as they ripen.
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Drying: After harvesting, thoroughly dry the seed stalks in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. This prevents mold and ensures the seeds are properly dried for storage. You can hang the stalks upside down or spread them out on a screen.
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Threshing: Once the stalks are completely dry, you'll need to separate the seeds from the chaff (the dry plant material). This process is called threshing. You can do this by gently beating the dried stalks inside a bag or container or by rubbing them against a screen.
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Cleaning: After threshing, you'll have a mixture of seeds and chaff. You'll need to clean the seeds to remove the debris. This can be done by using a screen or sieve to separate the larger pieces of chaff or by winnowing (using wind or a fan to blow away the lighter chaff).
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Storing: Store the cleaned and dried spinach seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dark, and dry place. Properly stored spinach seeds can remain viable for several years.
