NC STATE UNIVERSITY
Horticulture Information Leaflet 8017
Revised
1/01
~ Author Reviewed
1/01
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Horticultural Science
HOME GARDEN SPINACH
Douglas C. Sanders, Extension Horticultural Specialist
I Spinach is a cool season crop and belongs to
the goosefoot family ( Chenopodiaceae ) as
do beets and Swiss chard. This crop is
becoming more popular as evidenced by
increases in consumption of both fresh
(salads) and processed spinach. It is high in
vitamins and minerals. Spinach reaches edible
maturity quickly (37 to 45 days) and thrives
best during the cool, moist seasons of the
year. During periods of warm weather and
long days, spinach will produce seed. This
cold-hardy crop can withstand hard frosts
with accompanying temperatures as low as
20 °F. Spinach can be overwintered for early
spring production in many areas of the state.
Varieties
Melody F, - Semi-savoyed type. Plants are
large and quick growing with very deep color.
This variety is for both spring and fall crops. It
is resistant to downy mildew and cucumber
mosaic virus.
Vienna F, - Large savoyed dark green leaves
are produced on upright plants. Restrict the
variety to fall crops. It has some resistance to
downy mildew (race 1 , 2, 3).
Distributed in furtherance
of the Acts of Congress
of May 8 and June 30, 1914.
Employment and program
opportunities are offered to
all people regardless of
race, color, national origin,
sex, age, or disability. North
Carolina State University,
North Carolina A&T State
Skookum F, - Round semi-savoyed dark
green leaves borne on upright plants. Good
for spring and fall plantings. Resistant to
downy mildew (race 1 , 2, 3).
university, u.s. Department Savoy Hybrid 612F - Deeply savoyed large
of Agriculture, and local , , , . , , T
governments cooperating, dark green leaves on an upright plant type. It
STATE UNIVERSITY
A&T STATE UNIVERSITY
COOPERATIVE
EXTENSION
Helping People Put Knowledge to II
is good for a fall crop and for freezing. It is
resistant to downy mildew and cucumber
mosaic virus.
Seven R - Semi-savoyed type. Plants are
large and quick growing. It has resistance to
both race 1 and 2 of downy mildew.
TYee - Plants are semi-savoy, large, fast
growing, very slow bolting, heat and cold
tolerant variety.
Savoy varieties are less inclined to wilt or turn
yellow. Smooth leaf varieties are easier to
clean and prepare for canning and freezing.
Soils - Spinach can be grown successfully on
a variety of soils, but a fertile sandy loam high
in organic matter is preferred. The soil pH
should range between 6.4 to 6.8. Note:
Spinach is very sensitive to acid soils, thus a
soil test prior to planting this crop should be
made and, if recommended, the necessary
lime applied. Use dolomitic lime if magnesium
is required. Low germination, yellowing and
browning of the margins and tips of seedling
leaves, browning of roots, general slow
growth and even death of plants, may indicate
that the soil is too acid. If the pH is too high,
leaves may have a yellow color referred to as
chlorosis.
Fertilizers - Spinach requires a high level of
fertility, especially nitrogen. Early spring
spinach may require larger quantities of
fertilizer than fall crops. Apply 3 lb of
