Spinach Frank J. Dainello, Extension Horticulturist Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University
VARIETIES Fresh Market- Samish
SOIL PREFERENCE: Well-drained, clay loam; will tolerate wide range of loamy soils with pH range of 6.5 - 8.0.
OPTIMUM GROWING CONDITIONS Cool dry conditions; 65 - 75oF days, 40 - 45oF nights. Will withstand freezing temperatures(low 20's).
ESTABLISHMENT METHODS Direct seeded Optimum time= soil temperature < 100oF in seed zone and/or day time air temperature, < 95oF Seeding rate lbs/A= 5 - 10 (high seeding rate when planting in high temperatures soil) Approximate seed/oz= 120 - 400 Seeding depth= 1/4 - 1/2 " Seedling spacing= 3 - 6 plants/ft of seed row. Normally 2 - 4 seed rows / 40" raised bed (baby leaf = 15 to 30 seed rows/ 80 " wide bed with 1 - 2 " in-row spacing (may require approximately 2,000,000 seed/A
FERTILITY/FERTILIZATION Rates presented as actual lbs/A N, P2O5 and K2O(base actual rates on soil test results). Generalized rate lbs/A: 120 - 75 - 80 N- 100 - 150 lbs, 75 - 100 lbs preplant + 20 - 30 lbs sidedressed or injected into irrigation water after each cutting(use tissue analysis to determine supplemental N rates. P- 75 - 100 lbs banded 2" below seed at planting. K- 70 - 100 lbs, not normally needed in most spinach production areas of Texas.
WATER/IRRIGATION Low - moderate demand(10 - 15"). If soil moisture low, irrigate after each cutting. Overhead sprinkler irrigation not advisable due to increased incidence of foliar diseases experienced with this method.
PEST MANAGEMENT MAJOR DISEASES CONTROL Damping-off Ridomil Gold White rust fixed copper, Ridomil Gold Copper, Quadris Downy mildew (blue mold ) Aliette, Ridomil Gold Copper, Quadris Cercospora leaf spot Quadris Virus None Nematode K-Pam, Telone II, Telone C-17 MAJOR INSECTS CONTROL Cabbage looper B.t.'s, Mustang, permethrin, Spintor Beet armyworm B.t.'s, Intrepid, Lannate, Larvin, Spintor Aphid Admire, Assail, diazinon, dimethoate, Fulfill, Provado Flea beetle Mustang, Sevin Leafminer Trigard, Spintor WEED CONTROL Preplant incorporated Ro-neet Preemergence Dual Magnum (24c) Postemergence Poast, Spin-Aid, Stinger
*NOTE*--The above is a partial listing of controls intended to serve as examples. Refer to product labels for sepcifics and use accordingly. Failure to do so may result in crop injury, death and/or citation for law violation. Humans, animals and the environemt may also be adversely affected by misuse.
HARVEST Days after planting= 45 - 60 days(20 - 30 to 2nd cut) Normal Method= Hand cut, loose leaf or root cut Containers= Bushel basket Packaging/handling= 25 lb bushel basket or cardboard cartons or 45 lb plastic containers Anticipated yield= 300 - 400 bu
TRANSIT/STORAGE CONDITIONS Fresh market-Containers top iced and/or held at 90 - 95 % RH. Very perishable, 10 - 15 days max shelf-life.
COMMENTS / PRODUCTION KEYS Raised beds suggested, cannot tolerate water logged soil. High soil temperatures (95oF + in seed zone) can cause heat induced dormancy and subsequent stand reduction. High air temperature (80oF +) tends to reduce leaf body, thickness, soluble solids and color. Excessive plant populations can cause poor leaf/stem ratio (critical for processing quality) and early bolting. Immediate crop destruction upon crop termination and 3 - 5 year rotation essential to reduce white rust/blue mold inoculum levels to assist white rust control. Delayed insecticide applications for aphid avoids killing beneficial insects. Essentially no aphid control obtainable with insecticides. If Gibberellic acid (ProGib) is used as a harvest aid, cease use by February 1. Later use enhances bolting rate. Bolting induced by long days (14 + hrs) following cold temperatures.
Texas Cooperative Extension, Horticulture Crop Guides Series Revised November, 2003 http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/vegetable/cropguides/spinach.html Prepared for Web delivery by Brooke Bludau, Amanda Zan, and Dan Lineberger