Southeastern U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook - 2022 - 113

SPINACH (Spinacia oleracea)
VARIETIES1
SPINACH
Banjo 3, 4, 7
Bloomsdale Long Standing 2, 5
Bolero 5
Early Hybrid #7 2, 4, 6
Emperor 3, 4, 5
Olympia 4, 5
Persius 4, 5, 7, 8
Riverside 4, 5, 8
Space 3, 4
Tyee 3, 4
Whale 2, 4, 5
1
2
3
Abbreviations for state where recommended.
Savoy leaf type.
Semi-savoy leaf type.
4
5
Downy mildew tolerance/resistance.
Bolting tolerant.
6 Cucumber Mosaic Virus tolerance/resistance.
7
8
White Rust tolerance/resistance.
Smooth leaf type.
A
G
K
K
L
M
N
A
A
G
G
K
N
N
N
AL
GA
KY
LA
MS
NC
OK
O
S
O
S
O
O
O
O
S
S
T
T
SC
TN
Spinach may be divided by use into fresh and processed types.
Spinach cultivars are either upright or spreading in habit and can
be further subdivided by leaf type into savoy (wrinkled), crushed,
crumpled, long-season, semi-savoy, and smooth varieties. The
processing types are usually smooth leaved; the semi-savoy types
can be used for both purposes; while the fresh market prefers the
savoy types. In addition spinach cultivars can be classified as being
fast bolters or slow bolters. Spinach usually matures in 30 to
50 days.
Geographic/Climate Requirements. Since spinach is a hardy,
cool season plant growing best where temperatures are moderate.
Spinach is frost tolerant and cold hardy to 20°F. Germination
is maximized at 41°F (5°C) with emergence taking 23 days.
Higher temperatures reduce germination. Spinach may be an
early spring, late fall, or winter crop, where the conditions permit
surviving winter killing temperatures. Longer day length triggers
bolting.
SPINACH PLANTING DATES
Spring
AL North
AL South
GA North
GA South
KY East
KY Central
KY West
LA North
LA South
MS
NC East
NC West
OK
SC East
SC West
TN East
TN West
NR = Not recommended
2022 Vegetable Crop Handbook for Southeastern United States
3/15-4/30
2/1-3/31
3/15-4/30
2/1-3/31
3/10-4/10
3/1-4/1
2/15-3/15
2/1-3/15
2/1-3/15
NR
2/15-6/30
4/1-8/15
2/15-4/15
2/1-4/1
3/15-4/15
2/1-3/31
2/1-3/31
Fall
8/1-9/15
8/15-9/30
8/1-9/15
8/1-9/30
8/1-8/15
8/15-9/1
9/1-9/15
9/1-11/15
9/15-11/15
8/15-9/30
8/1-9/15
NR
9/1-12/30
8/15-10/15
8/1-9/30
8/15-10/15
8/15-10/15
Soil and Fertilizer Requirements. Spinach is sensitive to acidic
soils, preferring a pH range of from 6.0 to 7.5. Warmer sandy
soils are preferred for overwintering spinach. Fertilizer is more
important during the slower growing winter periods. Before any
fertilizer is worked into a spinach field, careful soil sampling
and analysis should be obtained to determine the levels of P and
K.
Cultural Practices. Spinach is usually direct seeded in rows using
either precision methods and coated seed or regular drilled
uncoated seed. In some areas spinach is simply broadcast on
beds. The rate of germination fluctuates widely depending on
methods of seeding but also upon the risk of damping-off. Despite
the size of spinach seed, it is sown fairly shallowly, 0.8 to 1
inch (2 to 3 cm), in soil moisture conditions ranging from slightly
above permanent wilting to field capacity.
Where spinach is pulled by hand for harvest, it is possible
to select the larger, more vigorous plants, leaving space for the
slower, crowded plants to grow. Seeding rates for non-clipped:
10 to 14 pounds/acre and for clipped: 18 to 25 pounds/acre.
Spacing within rows is generally 12 inches. For smaller stands,
sow 1 oz. of seed per 100 row feet. For smaller stands, average
yields are 40 lb/100 row feet, 152 cwt/ acre.
Irrigation and Drainage. The spinach plant is shallow rooted
and therefore may become water-stressed if irrigation is not
available between rain showers. More often than not the first
irrigation is necessary to germinate the spinach seed. Since spinach
is sensitive to overwatering or waterlogging, provision for
drainage either through seedbed preparation or tiling is essential.
The large transpiring leaf surface of maturing spinach plants
coupled with warm temperatures can readily deplete the available
moisture reserves.
SPECIAL NOTES FOR PEST MANAGEMENT
INSECT MANAGEMENT
Insect pests of spinach include: Aphids, Leaf miners, Cabbage
loopers, mites, and Sweet corn maggots. Control methods in113
Southeastern U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook - 2022

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