Spinach Varieties

VARIETIES OF SPINACH

There are several key differences between spinach varieties available as seed and they can be summed up as follows:

  • When they crop – early, mid or late season,
  • When they are best sown, spring, autumn or in some cases both
  • Resistance to bolting which can make the leaves taste bitter
  • Disease resistance

Amazon

This is an F1 hybrid variety with good resistance to downy mildew and also bolting. Strong growing with deep green, round and glossy leaves. This variety is best harvested when the leaves are young and small, they grow back quickly for repeated harvesting. Given an Award of Garden Merit (AGM) by the RHS IN 2008. Seeds cost around £1.20 for 500.

Barbados

Another F1 variety, it is a compact grower which stays upright keeping the leaves off the ground. Resistant to to mildew, smaller leaves than normal but lots of them. Appear to only be available from Mr Fothergills. Given an Award of Garden Merit (AGM) by the RHS IN 2008.

Lazio

Lazio is a modern variety of spinach which quickly produces leaves that have no hint of bitterness. This variety is equally well suited to harvesting baby or more mature leaves. It is an F1 seed which was given an AGM in 2007 by the RHS. The leaves are dark green and rounded. This is the variety most sold in the supermarkets as baby leaf spinach.

Palco

Another F1 variety, Palco has good resistance to mildew. It is suitable for sowing all year round. Awarded an AGM by the Royal Horticultural Society. Slowly becoming more difficult to buy seeds.

Perpetual Spinach

An excellent choice for sowing in late August or early September. It rarely bolts and withstands cold very well.

Perpetual Spinach
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Perpetual Spinach

Reddy

Currently being evaluated by our team. We do know though that germination rates, often a problem with spinach, are good. This F1 variety can be sown year round.

Spinach variety Reddy
Spinach variety “Reddy”

Red Veined

The red veins make this variety an ideal candidate for being used in salads as well as cooked. For tender baby leaves harvest five weeks after sowing. Left to grow the red veins become more pronounced. Resistant to mildew, this variety has been bred for British weather conditions.

Spinach variety Red Veined
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Spinach variety “Red Veined”

Violin

A new F1 variety which tastes good as baby leaves or left to grow to full size. Resistant to bolting and downy mildew. It will continue to produce leaves well in autumn, longer if given cloche protection.

Spinach variety Violin
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Spinach variety “Violin”

 

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