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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] Overwintering Spinach in Northern U.S. climate

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  • From: "Marlin & Christine Burkholder" <burkholders AT glenecofarm.com>
  • To: <farmersue AT myfairpoint.net>, "'Market Farming'" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Overwintering Spinach in Northern U.S. climate
  • Date: Sat, 22 Oct 2011 20:06:09 -0400

I have successfully overwintered fall planted spinach in our zone six Virginia climate for years.  Most of the time I have planted the tried and true Bloomsdale Long Standing but I have also done Emu and a few others.  I like to plant around mid October which gives me a small beginning to leaf out plant by the time serious cold weather begins.  We usually have enough warm spells throughout the winter for it to make a little more growth before really taking off in mid to late February.  I find it helpful to top dress it with a little Calcium nitrate then to give it a N kick at a time when the soil is still too cold for soil biological activity to make organic N available.  Those of you who prefer to use an organic N source could probably use fish emulsion as a foliar.  I don’t like a lot of leaf growth going into winter because it would cause it to bolt on me too soon in the spring.

 

From: market-farming-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:market-farming-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Sue Wells
Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2011 6:32 PM
To: 'Market Farming'
Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Overwintering Spinach in Northern U.S. climate

 

I planted spinach in an unheated greenhouse last fall. I don’t remember when. I still have not gotten it planted yet, as well as asian greens, and other lettuces.

I covered it with agribon when it got pretty cold, and left it like that all winter, in April, I had beautiful spinach and greens, including the wonderful Claytonia. I really recommend Claytonia, it is great in taste and very nice looking.  I had no greens above ground before the hard winter started. I plan on planting mine next week, as I have been too busy. And too tired. I think it was regal spinach from territorial Seeds that I planted last year.

Sue

Vermont Zone 3

 


From: market-farming-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:market-farming-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of grizzdover AT gmail.com
Sent: Friday, October 21, 2011 10:07 PM
To: Market Farming
Subject: [Market-farming] Overwintering Spinach in Northern U.S. climate

 

Hello All,

 

I have always wanted to plant spinach in the fall to get early spring harvests for our CSA.  Of course, like all great ideas, I just have never gotten around to it.  This season, with warmer than "normal" temps and me "having the time", I'm thinking of doing it.  For those that have done it before, do I need any leaf growth or can the seeds just kind of "hang out" over winter and germinate/leaf out when the ground temps are "right" in the spring? Which varieties have you all had success doing this with?  A "co-hort" here in Iowa I know uses 'Space' but feels like he needs to have some leafing going into winter to do it succesfully. Unfortunatley, the "time" I have to do this is now and fear I will not get any significant growth before winter makes itself known. 

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Ben Saunders

Turtle Farm: Certifed Organic Fruits, Veggies and Herbs

Granger, Iowa

 




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