Market Farming

[robert schuler <sunnfarm AT bellatlantic.net>]

Paul in my county farmers grow a lot of spinach year round on sandy soils
with OM of 1/2%. Fresh market on raised beds, processing type on the flat.
Best summer seeded varieties are Melody. Packer and Tyee. For over wintering
we grow Vienna. Seeding starts mid August. Daytime air temps average between
80-90 degrees but seed germinates in a week or so despite the heat, I think
its has to do more with the average soil temp between day and night which
averages out in the seventies which is fine for spinach germination. We
use light sprinkler irrigation to get the crop up, you need to be careful
to avoid crusting. I think the evaporation of the water has a lot to do
with cooling the soil enhancing germ rate. When you buy seed don't just
look at the germ % ask the salesman when the seed was harvested, old seed
even with high germ % will never have the vigor of fresh seed... Bob.
Sunny Meadow Farm
Bridgeton, NJ.

Paul Bucciaglia wrote:

 Hi, Any reccomendtations out there for a spinach variety that reliably germinates in sandy soil?  I have had some dissapointing stands in the past because my soils heat up and dry out really quickly.  I am especially interested in varieties that reliably germinate in mid summer for fall harvest. Thanks, Paul   

 

Paul Bucciaglia
Fort Hill Farm
Organic Vegetables, Herbs, and Flowers
18 Fort Hill Rd.
New Milford CT 06776
(860) 350-3158
www.forthillfarm.com

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