Viroflay Spinach (Heirloom 47 Days)

French Heirloom 1866. The Viroflay Spinach is described in the 1866 Vilmorin catalog as the Monstruex de Viroflay.  It is a very large spinach. Trowel-shaped leaves measure 8” x 10” and are only slightly savoyed. The color is dark green and low acid foliage stays tender at any stage of development. 

75 seeds

PLANTING

Spinacia oleracea

Germination: 7-14 days

Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 50-70ºF

Seed Sowing Depth: 1/2" deep

Starting Indoors: 3-4 weeks before planting out in early to mid-spring. Provide 50-65ºF soil temperature. Sow 2-3 seeds per cell/pot. Sowing into individual biodegradable peat/cow pots reduces root damage when transplanting. Transplant after last frost, 6-12" apart.

Sowing Outdoors: Start in early spring when the soil temperature is over 50ºF. Sow a few seeds every 1-3", thin to 6-12" for full-sized plants. Sow heavy seeded rows, 30 seeds per foot, every 10-14 days for baby greens using the Pinetree spinach mix.  Sow in mid to late summer for fall harvests.

How much does a packet plant: 6-10 feet, Spinach Mix packet = 80-100 feet for mature plants or 20-25 feet for baby greens 

Harvest: Starting with baby greens at 3” or the entire plant before it bolts.

Tips: Plant Viroflay Spinach in fertile soil, amended with compost or well-rotted manure and keep well watered. Sow in the fall and cover with mulch for an early spring crop.