Sequential Planting of Spinach (2000-2001) - 3 pages
Spinach is a cool-season crop well suited to production in spring in Saskatchewan. However, most growers report difficulties in establishing and growing good quality spinach crops during July and August. Cool soil temperatures (5oC) promote germination of spinach but emergence is slow from these cold soils. Higher soil temperatures induce thermal dormancy in spinach seed. Bolting in spinach is triggered by long days (12-15 hours) and cold weather followed by warmer temperatures. Bolting sensitivity varies between cultivars.
This trial evaluated the performance of several cultivars of spinach sequentially planted over the course of the 2000 and 2001 growing seasons. The trials were conducted at the University of Saskatchewan Field Headquarters in Saskatoon (clay soil) and at the CSIDC in Outlook (sandy loam). The cultivars selected for trial were;
‘Tyee’ (Alf Christianson Seed Co) - a well adapted, bolting resistant cultivar
‘Bloomsdale’ - (Early’s Farm & Garden) - a locally popular cultivar that matures early
‘Olympic’ (Alf Christianson Seed Co) - good yields and quality
‘Hybrid No. 7' (Early’s Farm & Garden) - very early
