Spinach
Vegetable Farming in South Africa
Scientific name: Spinacia oleracea
Common Names: Spinach, True Spinach or Baby Spinach
Plant Description
A leafy plant with slightly glossy crisp dark green leaves 25 to 30cm long and 10 to 20cm wide. Leaves start out relatively smooth and round when immature but as foliage matures the leaves become longer and slightly rumpled.
Uses
The leaves are eaten cooked and the young leaves are also consumed raw in salads. Leaves are also juiced. Is a source of vitamin A, B1, B2, niacin and calcium. Spinach is also canned.
Soil Requirements and Preparation
Can be planted in most soil types but the plant does the best in sandy to loam soils that are well drained and have a pH of between 6 and 6.8. Add phosphates and compost well before planting and work into the top soil.
Climate
Spinach can thrive in a wide temperature range of between 5°C and 25°C but does best at 14°C to 18°C. The plant does not cope with excessive cold below 5°C or heat above 30°C. Although the plant can survive short bouts of frost it is not completely resistant to it. Higher temperatures slow down the growth. It is essentially a cool climate plant.
Cultivars
Regiment, Bloomsdale, Tyee, Catalina, Indian Summer, Space and Red Cardinal.
By
Louise Brodie