|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Feb 23, 2008 8:28:02 GMT
Spinach is my fussy OH's favourite green vegetable so I am going to try and grow it again this year. I have given up in recent years after previous attempts as it always bolts very quickly. I have fine, sandy soil although it has been enriched with finest goat muck for years, it's usually fairly hot and dry in summer too. I have tried growing it in the shade of my sweetcorn crop - still it bolted. I have tried the Bolthardy variey - still it bolted  I have tried fussy OH on alternatives like Perpetual spinach, swiss chard etc etc - "I prefer proper spinach"  Anyone got any nifty tips, please? Or shall I just give up? |
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Feb 25, 2008 8:13:04 GMT
OK, I'll give up then. Thanks for sooo much for everyone's interest...  I shall take my spinach problems elsewhere. |
|
|
|
Post by Plocket on Feb 25, 2008 18:51:30 GMT
Aw hunnie! I can't help you I'm afraid but seeing that you've tried to grow spinach in the shade, I might try and do the same.
|
|
|
|
Post by Plocket on Feb 25, 2008 18:53:58 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by oldmoleskins on Feb 25, 2008 18:56:18 GMT
ooooo 4P, why the short fuse? You've been 'read' 34 times, we're not ignoring you, just uncertain.
The bad news: spinach bolting is nearly always a result of stress - not enough water, too much water, soil not deep and fertile and luscious enough... (thin, dry, sandy soil? not the normal idea of spinach heaven, and we've already established your treddles are tiny)
Hessayon says that faced with repeated failure you should try New Zealand Spinach, not a true spinach but less likely to run to seed. Personally, I'd get him onto Russian Red Kale.
OM.
|
|
|
|
Post by Tig on Feb 25, 2008 19:06:51 GMT
Hi 4P - I have not grown 'proper' spinach before (I grew the perpetual but not that keen) - but I have bought a pack of seed to try for the first time.
They are Hector f1 - and it says on the pack 'high yielding variety showing resistance to bolting and a tolerance to mildew.'
There are 300 seeds in the pack and I only have a small plot so if you want to try 150 or so just PM me. We can compare how they grow, your soil versus mine? Tig
|
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Feb 25, 2008 20:47:23 GMT
Sorry Moley...I am on a short fuse as I've had some horrid news about my health, nothing major but not a jolly prospect!. Apparently I am snapping all over the place... so sorry! Once I've got my head round it all I shall be OK. ;D Thanks for the advice though. If could make OH like it I would grow Swiss Chard as I like the taste and the look of it but he's not keen... It's gotta be the real thing..... Plocket - I think spinach would be alright in your garden as long as it got some sunshine during the day - your soil is much more suited than mine anyway. Tig, that's a very kind offer but I just bought a packet of Medania (I think) so I'll try that first. Thanks though  Actually I could perhaps do a row of each couldn't I? I'll PM you my address but I really don't need 150 seeds! Would you like some of mine? You are very kind |
|
|
|
Post by Jonah on Feb 25, 2008 21:30:35 GMT
Hi 4P. Sorry to hear you've had some bad news, hope it all works out ok.  I haven't grown spinach before, but I am looking forward to trying it this year as it's my favourite too! ;D I haven't got to the planting stage yet in my veg bed, but I came across the following quote with a quick google: Mines going to be in a hot part of the garden, but I have some of those cheap pvc covered coldframes from B&Q. I might try knocking up some sort of shade cover for one of them if the heat sets in. |
|
|
|
Post by Tig on Feb 26, 2008 23:42:12 GMT
Sorted 4P - 75 seeds in the post ;D Will update progress on this thread - good or bad x Tig |
|
|
|
Post by Ruthie on Feb 27, 2008 17:41:42 GMT
I'll watch this one with interest. I too have dry sandy soil (in Norfolk as well) and have grown spinach with very little success 'cos of the bolting. Last year I grew mixed leaves in large pots, including spinach and rocket and, although they did bolt, I got quite a few pickings first. Sowed some more while the originals were still little and then replaced the lot when the bolting happened. I reckon you could do that 2 or 3 times in the season.
|
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Feb 28, 2008 10:58:35 GMT
I sent your seed off this morning Tig. Thanks for sending yours so promptly! Suparuthie, whereabouts in Norfolk are you? I am near Thetford - right in the middle of the Brecks, hence the sandy soil.....and lots of rabbits in the Spring |
|
|
|
Post by Tig on Feb 28, 2008 12:59:35 GMT
I sent your seed off this morning Tig. Thanks for sending yours so promptly! Suparuthie, whereabouts in Norfolk are you? I am near Thetford - right in the middle of the Brecks, hence the sandy soil.....and lots of rabbits in the Spring Thank you  |
|
|
|
Post by Tig on May 1, 2008 14:53:41 GMT
Planted some of each today 4P Have you got any growing yet? x Tig |
|
|
|
Post by Tig on May 8, 2008 18:30:08 GMT
Couple of seeds have germinated
|
|
|
|
Post by Jonah on May 8, 2008 22:55:42 GMT
I know this is my first time, and it will all go pear shaped from now on, but while watering the veg bed today I couldn't help picking just one spinach bordeaux leaf and eating it ! At least if nothing else works, I can actually say I've grown my own now..... ;D |
|
|
|
Post by Tig on May 8, 2008 23:08:21 GMT
It won't go pear shaped Jonah, once you get stuff growing you are over halfway there, just keep watering if it is dry, even if things bolt you should have managed a nibble or two before they go to seed, and aphids wash off, just don't let the slugs and snails eat your veg before you can ;D
x Tig
|
|
|
|
Post by Jonah on May 9, 2008 22:48:58 GMT
So far, surprisingly no slugs and snails. I think the hot weather and rather dusty top dressing of composted bark has helped. Famous last words...... ;D |
|
|
|
Post by Tig on May 9, 2008 23:10:49 GMT
At least we can compare progress |
|
|
|
Post by Tig on May 17, 2008 11:27:41 GMT
The Hector f1 are doing much better than the Samish f1 at the moment, quite a difference in the size of the seedlings. I will take a photo when they both have their first sets of proper leaves.
x Tig
|
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on May 18, 2008 18:38:08 GMT
I finally got round to clearing the raised bed and sowing the Spinach today, Tig! One row of each..I decided to put them in that bed as it is shaded by the GH for part of the day, plus I sowed a load of mixed salad stuff next to it so if it grows well I can pick it for salad leaves and maybe stop it bolting...that's the plan anyway...... ;D
I've covered the whole lot with netting to keep Hilda, the old chook, off. Mustn't forget to make the garlic drench to cos I sowed a row of that Black Kale the slugs love in there too......
|
|
|
|
Post by Tig on May 29, 2008 15:45:18 GMT
For comparison .. Hector  Samish  x Tig |
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Jul 24, 2008 6:57:54 GMT
I'm just about to clear my spinach bed and replant it so I thought I'd report on our Spinach trial, Tig. I managed quite a few meals from both Hector and Medania, generally raw baby leaves in salads, and I have to say your Hector bolted far less quickly than the Medania. Medania got 'off' quicker and grew pretty well so I was reasonably pleased to start with...then Hector appeared and grew well too. All in all a much better result from both than I've had before. I have been picking spinach leaves for far longer than is usual with me. My raised bed is full of goat muck, is shaded by the GH for some of the day and maybe the wetter weather and cooler nighttime temperatures lately have helped too. So it's Hector for me next year......thanks Tig!  |
|
|
|
Post by Tig on Jul 24, 2008 10:52:17 GMT
It did better for me too 4P, good to try different ones in the same season, more reliable comparison than from one year to the next. I have a more shady spot in mind for next year, and will defo sow more Hector (which has just started to bolt after all this time!) |
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Apr 7, 2009 7:41:20 GMT
Just relooked at this thread as I am going to try spinach in my vegetable garden again this year. I couldn't remember the name of the Spinach Tig sent me . I am going to grow 'Hector' again I think and see how it does in the unshaded vegetable garden.........I bet we have a boiling hot summer with no rain now........ ;D (So it might be worth the sacrifice...)  |
|
|
|
Post by Tig on Apr 7, 2009 8:59:32 GMT
I sowed some Renegade f1 with my grandkids at the end of last July. Just one seed each in a mixed veg pot (gotta try and pass on Grandmas skills  ) They have over-wintered and look very healthy at the moment - so I'm going to try a comparison with Hector and them this year - better get sowing eh? ;D Good luck with yours 4P (if you want to try some Renegade let me know - the seed packet contains 200 ) x Tig |
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Apr 8, 2009 7:03:39 GMT
That's very kind of you Tig. Let me see if I can find any Hector seeds first (not much time to visit GC's these days ). If not I might beg some off you - cheers! ;D |
|
|
|
Post by Tig on Apr 8, 2009 12:40:48 GMT
I have planted a pot of each, I thought I can move the pots into cool shade and keep them moist as needed in the scorcher of a summer we are due I have Hector f1 seeds that are OK to 2010 provided you don't need enough to plant a field full 4P - you know where I am, I don't venture far from GWD ;D x Tig |
|
|
|
Post by Tig on May 27, 2009 11:03:51 GMT
Update on my spinach trial .. Hector in the pot on the left, Renegade on the right ..  Hector seems to be growing slightly more vigorously - but will he bolt first?? ;D x Tig |
|
I have tried fussy OH on alternatives like Perpetual spinach, swiss chard etc etc - "I prefer proper spinach" 
I shall take my spinach problems elsewhere.
)
) They have over-wintered and look very healthy at the moment - so I'm going to try a comparison with Hector and them this year - better get sowing eh? ;D