Online Vegetable Seeds Catalogue

Sds/g: 100                             Feed Requirements: Moderate (au) – Heavy (spr)        Usual Seed Life:4-5 years

Cultural Notes:

• There are two main varieties of spinach (1) the classic rounder leafed spinach that prefers cooler climates (generally known in Australia as English spinach) and (2) the arrow leafed spinach which can handle warmer weather (from SE Asia or Middle-East).
• English spinach germinates best in cooler soil and prefers to grow in cooler shorter days. Be aware that hot soils in February can reduce germination rates, so if hoping for a Feb sowing keep the beds cool with regular watering or wait for a bout of southerly weather. Provide plenty of nitrogen in your compost/fertiliser mix to allow for rapid growth.
• The arrow leafed spinach can also germinate in warmer temperatures and does not run to seed as easily when growing in the warmer months. In temperate and warmer climates this can almost be grown tear round.
• All spinach loves well-limed soil.

Problems:

• Snails and slugs in early spring are a nuisance, devouring seedlings. While frost hardy spinach does not like wet winters and saturated root so ensure well drained beds and allow plenty of spacing between plants for air flow to prevent disease/mould.

Harvest:

• Harvest leaves or plants as needed.