Spinach variety trial for northwestern Ontario seed production
Farmer: Evalisa McIllfaterick and Janna van Blyderveen & Jordan Lees
Farm: Root Cellar Gardens, Roots to Harvest
Region: North
Publish Date: April 1, 2021
Article Type: Research Project
Research Priorities: Seed Production, Selection & Breeding
Growers in northwestern Ontario wanted to identify which varieties of spinach are well-suited for seed production in their area.
In a Nutshell
- Matador and Popeye were among the growers’ favourite varieties, ranking high in most categories.
- Spinach planted in later fall (frost seeded) did not survive to produce seed in this trial.
- From unreplicated data, early fall plantings overwintered successfully and show a trend towards higher seed production.
- Giant Winter was the growers’ least favorite variety and was ranked lowest in almost every category.