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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: George the Pigman on June 12, 2016, 11:43:18

Title: Having trouble with spinach.
Post by: George the Pigman on June 12, 2016, 11:43:18
Over the years I have never had much success with "real" spinach. The seed either doesn't germinate at all or when it does (either in pots or in the ground) it produces weedy plants that seem to bolt before they get any size.
To compensate I grow perpetual spinach which is really a relative of Swiss Chard rather than true spinach. It grows like a train and only bolts in its second year - which it should do as it is a biennial. But it never has quite the delicate flavour of those bags of spinach you see in the supermarkets.
Is there a trick of the trade to growing it?
Title: Re: Having trouble with spinach.
Post by: Pescador on June 12, 2016, 13:03:51
I used to grow it commercially as Baby Leaf Spinach. Trick is to keep it growing quickly.
Now would be the ideal time to sow, with plenty more rain and mild temperatures for the rest of the month. At this time of year you should be looking at about 4 weeks sowing to harvest.
If it stays mild and wet, you may be lucky to get re-growth from the stubble and get a 2nd crop.
Hope this helps!
Title: Re: Having trouble with spinach.
Post by: johhnyco15 on June 12, 2016, 15:01:34
yes indeed i agree with pescador later sowings of spinach always do better than earlier ones it loves warm wet days with reducing light levels it does not bolt so easy hope this helps
Title: Re: Having trouble with spinach.
Post by: ancellsfarmer on June 12, 2016, 20:31:57
MySuttons Amazon bolted (last week) and its only 2" tall !
Title: Re: Having trouble with spinach.
Post by: Borlotti on June 12, 2016, 22:28:13
Think slugs like it,