Spinach
Native to Iran, spinach has dark green, smooth or blistered leaves, which are very popular throughout the year. It is a vegetable of the Chenopodiaceae or Amaranthaceae family, depending on the classification. Many varieties exist, including the Symphony or Polka hybrids, which are gradually replacing the hardy Winter Giant and Monstrous of Viroflay. Growing spinach in the garden is easy.
The sowing calendar for spinach is very wide since, depending on the species, it can be grown throughout the year. Sowing is done directly in the garden, in spring for a summer harvest, or in August and September for an autumn and winter harvest. Sow in rows, then plant the shoots by thinning out every 10 to 15 cm, as soon as the first leaves appear. Spinach does not support the big heats, it is preferable to choose a half-shaded or shaded exposure for the cultures of summer, and sunny the cultures of autumn and winter. The soil must be rich in humus and moist: clay soils are therefore appreciated.
The maintenance of the growth, relatively simple, consists in a regular watering. Lack of water would cause the plants to go to seed: drought should therefore be anticipated. Harvesting can be done between one and a half and two months after sowing. By picking only the necessary leaves, the growth of new leaves is favoured.
Spinach
- Type : Vegetables
- Subtype : Leafy vegetables
- Botanical family : Chenopodiaceae
Characteristics
- Exposure : Partial shade
- Hardiness : Frost resistant
- Easy to grow, but requires regular maintenance (difficulty : 2/3)
Sowing & planting
- Sowing depth : 1 cm
- Plant spacing : 10 cm
- Row spacing : 25 cm
- Emergence time : 10 days
- Emergence temperature : 10 °C
- From sowing to harvesting : 60 days
- Seed storage : 5 years