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Spinach Viroflay Giant- Ferme de Sainte Marthe seeds

Spinachia oleracea Monstrueux de Viroflay
Spinach 'Viroflay Giant'

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More information

A beautiful traditional variety that is vigorous and has an excellent taste quality. It forms clumps that can reach 60cm (24in) in diameter, composed of large leaves. This spinach is sown from August to September for harvests from October to December. These are organic seeds.
Ease of cultivation
Beginner
Height at maturity
50 cm
Spread at maturity
50 cm
Soil moisture
Damp soil
Germination time (days)
16 days
Sowing method
Direct sowing
Sowing period August to September
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Harvest time October to December
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
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S
O
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D

Description

Spinacia oleracea 'Viroflay Giant' is a magnificent traditional variety of spinach. It is particularly vigorous and has an excellent taste quality. It forms clumps that can reach 60cm (24in) in diameter, composed of large leaves. This spinach is sown from August to September for harvests from October to December. 

 

Traditionally mistreated by school catering services, spinach is certainly the most dreaded vegetable by children. Yet it is a tasty vegetable that can be prepared in a thousand ways: raw in spring salad, in Japanese fritters, quickly cooked in a wok, or even in a savoury tart with small pieces of goat's cheese.

It is originally from Iran. It belongs to the Amaranthaceae family. Spinach is widely cultivated worldwide, both for its flavour and its nutritional qualities. While the famous Popeye has long praised its iron content, its remarkable vitamin B9 content is what truly stands out.

There are many varieties of spinach that require short days or long days to prevent them from running to seed too quickly. Each variety corresponds to a specific growing period that needs to be respected: spring and/or autumn, winter and even summer. Some varieties have pungent seeds, traditionally intended for spring or late autumn sowings. By carefully choosing your seeds, you can have this vegetable all year round.

Spinach likes moist and rich soils that are particularly rich in nitrogen and potassium. They thrive in winter sun and in partial shade, and even in full shade in summer and in the hottest regions.

Harvest: spinach is harvested leaf by leaf, depending on their growth and needs. The leaves located at the edge of the plant are cut, which helps the heart to continue developing and producing new leaves. The entire clump is only harvested when the plant shows the first signs of running to seed.

Storage: spinach does not keep very well in the refrigerator as it tends to become soft. It is best to consume it a few hours after harvesting. However, you can freeze it after blanching it for 3 minutes in salted boiling water.

Gardener's tip: did you know that spinach can be used as green manure? Sown in autumn at a rate of 30g per square metre, it can absorb and store nitrogen present in the soil. This way, the nitrogen is preserved and not leached by winter rains. It is a good way to recycle a forgotten packet of seeds past its expiration date!

 

Organic or "AB" seeds are derived from plants grown without phytosanitary products (insecticides, herbicides). These seeds also do not undergo any post-harvest treatment. They bear the AB label and are certified by Ecocert, an independent organisation.

Harvest

Harvest time October to December
Type of vegetable Leaf vegetable
Vegetable colour green
Size of vegetable Large
Interest Flavour, Nutritional value, Colour, Very productive
Use Cooking

Plant habit

Height at maturity 50 cm
Spread at maturity 50 cm
Growth rate fast

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour medium green

Botanical data

Genus

Spinachia

Species

oleracea

Cultivar

Monstrueux de Viroflay

Family

Chenopodiaceae

Other common names

Spinach 'Viroflay Giant'

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Annual / Perennial

Annual

Product reference3151111

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Planting and care

Sowing

The germination of spinach occurs at a temperature of around 16°C (60.8°F). Seeds usually take about fifteen days to sprout.

Sow in open ground (one to two months before under a polytunnel for early varieties). It can grow in the sun, in partial shade, or in full shade, depending on your climate.

Be sure to follow the recommendations regarding the sowing period, otherwise your plants may prematurely go to seed.

Lightly loosen the soil, keeping it fairly firm. Trace furrows spaced 30 to 40cm (12 to 16in) apart, with a depth of 1 to 2 cm (1in). Sow in rows, spacing the seeds 2cm (1in) apart. After sprouting, thin out, keeping only one plant every 40cm (16in).

Since spinach is best when fresh, stagger your sowings over time to enjoy a longer harvest.

Cultivation

Spinach is a fairly demanding vegetable, especially in terms of nitrogen and potassium. It requires well-rotted soil. It is wise to apply mature compost (about 3kg per m²) in autumn. Loosen the soil, and rake in the compost to a depth of 5cm (2in). An application of nitrogen fertiliser such as "blood and bone" is often welcome. It prefers neutral to slightly acidic soils (pH between 5.5 and 7).

Some varieties of spinach are quite susceptible to mildew, a fungal disease that occurs in mild and humid weather. Make sure not to sow too densely to keep the plants well-aerated. Crop rotation remains the best prevention.

As for companion planting, spinach is a good neighbour that does not harm any other vegetable. It is known to be beneficial for cauliflower, broccoli, potatoes, and radishes as it enhances their yield. Gertrude Franck, an exceptional gardener, used to interplant a row of spinach between each row of vegetables, using it both for cooking and as green manure.

 

 

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Seedlings

Sowing period August to September
Sowing method Direct sowing
Germination time (days) 16 days

Care

Soil moisture Wet
Disease resistance Good
Pruning No pruning necessary

Intended location

Type of use Vegetable garden
Hardiness Hardy down to -29°C (USDA zone 5) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), 192

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