Spinach Crop Management
Vegetable Farming in South Africa

Crop Rotation

It is a good practice to rotate crops when producing Spinach to prevent buildup of spinach pests and diseases. Rotate with pumpkin, beans, peas, lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes and cabbage.
©Eric Miller

Yield (tonnes per hectare)

Conservative: 15 tonnes Average: 20 tonnes Good: 30+ tonnes

Harvesting

Harvesting is normally done by hand with sharp knives or small sickles on smaller plots or farming operations. This allows growers to harvest over longer periods and thereby increase yield. Cut only the outer leaves about 40 mm above the ground.

This must be done regularly to promote growth and thereby increase yield. On large commercial farming enterprises this is sometimes done mechanically. On these larger operations plant density is also much higher.

Storage

Spinach does not store well and must be kept in a coolshed as soon after harvest as possible. Best results are at a temperature of 4°C and at a Relative Humidity of above 85%.

Spinach should be kept under refrigeration for a maximum of 7 days before consumption to ensure a quality product. So the product must get to the consumer as soon after harvest as possible.

Pests

Nematodes, Snails, Cutworm, Aphids, Slugs, Hawaiian Beet Worm, Loopers, Leaf Miners and caterpillars.

Diseases

Leaf spot, Spinach Blight, Mosaic virus, Downy Mildew, Curly top, White Rust and Powdery Mildew.By Louise Brodie