SAN ANTONIO — Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulturists, in cooperation with local plant producers and nurserymen, are hoping to help South Central Texas gardeners scare up positive results from the appropriately named ‘monster’ spinach.
“Many South Central Texas gardeners are not satisfied with the homegrown lettuce they’ve tried to produce, but are timid about planting spinach because they have had a negative past experience with it,” said David Rodriguez, AgriLife Extension agent for horticulture in Bexar County.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent for horticulture David Rodriguez said ‘monster’ spinach may help curb some fears South Central Texas gardeners have about growing spinach. (Photo: Package of Monstreaux de Viroflay spinach seed available through Botanical Interests)
To take the fear out of growing spinach at home, Rodriguez and retired AgriLife Extension horticulturist Dr. Jerry Parsons have been searching for an easy-to-grow spinach that’s well suited for the area, plus produces more abundantly and quickly than other varieties. They feel they have found a strong candidate in a spinach whose name itself conjures images fit for Halloween — Monstrueux de Viroflay, known more commonly as monstrous or monster spinach.
“Viroflay’s scientific name is Spinacia oleracea ‘Viroflay,’” he explained. “It’s an heirloom variety that is believed to have originated in France in the mid-19th century. It produces huge, deep green, tender leaves that are a spinach lover’s delight.”
Rodriguez said many area gardeners may have failed in their attempts to grow spinach because they planted too early or were impatient for results.
“People here who plant fall gardens in August and September and are actually harvesting fall produce before spinach planting should even be considered,” he said. “In this region, spinach should be planted around the mid-to-late October time frame. The previous lack of success due to early planting and the desire to have a faster harvest time has scared many gardeners away from one of the most nutritious and delicious salad greens in the world.”
Nutritionally speaking, Rodriguez said, spinach is the heavyweight champion of the vegetable garden.
“It has nearly twice as much protein, calcium, iron, potassium, Vitamin A, Vitamin B and B2, niacin and Vitamin C as any of the leafy greens. Plus, it’s easy to grow in this area of Texas because spinach plants thrive in alkaline soils.”
He said in addition to its weighty nutritional value, monster spinach can grow to an impressive 2 feet wide with leaves up to 10 inches long.
“This spinach is extremely vigorous and particularly good for fall plantings,” Rodriguez said. “Besides, the name itself should remind people that it’s supposed be planted around Halloween.”
Rodriguez said monster spinach can be harvested about two weeks sooner than most hybrid spinach types, addressing one of the main problems South Central Texas gardeners have had with home spinach production in the past.
“In addition, of all the spinach, this one is lowest in oxalic acid, so its leaves are sweet and stay sweet as the plant matures,” he added. “It’s large, dark-green crisp leaves are flavorful, tender and succulent even when they grow to their monstrous size. The plant is very day-length sensitive, and will bolt when temperatures reach about 75 degrees.”
He said while monster spinach is a promising variety for the area, backyard gardening success has been achieved with other spinach varieties, including Ashley and coho, provided the crop was planted at the appropriate time and maintained properly.
Spinach is classified as a “very hardy cool season crop” and does best at a mean temperature of 50 to 60 degrees, Rodriguez said. But it can be killed at temperatures around 12 degrees, so the typically mild South Central Texas winter ensures a continuous cool season harvest of quality product. To avoid a poor stand, the first planting should take place when soil temperature is below 85 degrees.
Remember that spinach is a leafy vegetable and nitrogen is the main nutrient required for leafy green crops, so about two weeks after transplanting, you should stimulate the growth of the spinach with a light application of nitrogen fertilizer, he said.
‘Monster’ spinach can grow to 24 inches wide with individual leaves as long as 10 inches. According to Rodriguez, despite their size, the spinach leaves remain tender, juicy and flavorful. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo)
“Most people will want a continuous supply of garden fresh spinach salad, and they want it as soon as possible,” Rodriguez said. “Harvest time for spinach is typically six to eight weeks after planting, depending upon the weather. As the weather cools, spinach takes a little longer to fully mature and will grow more upright. Generally, it matures best when temperatures average between 50 degrees and 60 degrees, becoming fuller-bodied with thicker, more tender leaves.”
He said seed germination can be tricky, so soak the seeds for an hour or two in warm water before planting, and plant extras just in case.
Rodriguez said planting spinach transplants in October solves most spinach growing problems.
“Spinach transplants should be placed in rows on top of raised planting beds,” he said “Planting in rows is preferable since weeds that emerge near the spinach plants can be more easily removed. Transplants of hybrid spinach varieties should be spaced 4 to 6 inches apart. But if you’re planting monster spinach, give yourself 18-24 inches between plants.”
Rodriguez also said spinach may be transplanted into a sunny flowerbed or patio container.
“Spinach will tolerate a partially shaded planting location and produce a fair crop with less than full sunlight,” he said. “Before planting in the garden, apply a 50 percent slow release fertilizer such as 19-5-9 into the planting area. Use a pound or two cups for each 30-foot row of planted spinach. Apply the fertilizer to the soil near the side of the plants and then water it in lightly.”
Seed can be found on seed racks in local nurseries or ordered online at http://www.botanicalinterests.com, where they may be found under Spinach Monstrueux de Viroflay.
Rodriguez said monster spinach transplants will also be available at many area nurseries, but to call first to verify.
“October is the month to plant spinach, and if you know how to properly plant and maintain it, you have nothing to worry about,” Rodriguez said. “We hope this year will be the year that South Central Texas gardeners will overcome their fear of growing spinach in home gardens.”
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