Spinacia oleracea (25 days to baby leaf, 45 days to mature) F-1 hybrid. Stunning deep-green true semi-savoy Tundra fills the organic hybrid niche nicely. Tastefully crinkled oval leaves are held off the ground for easy baby-leaf and mature harvests. Mild, simply spinach flavor with tender texture, Tundra is well suited for early spring and fall plantings. Reasonable early summer tolerance, with slow steady growth (like elegant Oceanside) that results in a stunning high-quality winter crop.
Customer David Banga who gardens in high altitude Colorado enthuses, “By far the best spinach I’ve grown. It grew through 25 freezing nights in May and then a 101° heat wave in June.” Note: Slow growth means fewer winter harvest cycles. Excellent downy mildew resistance. Resistant to DM races 1-13,15,16. Cold-hardy. ④
This item is certified organic
2538
Tundra
- Organic
Additional Information
Spinach
1,500–2,800 seeds/oz.
Days to maturity are from date of direct seeding.
Culture: Very hardy, spinach prefers cool temperatures. Planted as soon as the ground can be worked in spring to avoid early bolting. Minimum germination temperature 35°, optimal range 45–65°. Spinach seed will not germinate in soil temperatures above 85°. For fall crop try late July–Aug. sowing; to overwinter, sow late Aug.–Sept. Heavy nitrogen requirements, but avoid applying high-nitrogen fertilizers shortly before harvest to prevent high nitrate levels in the leaves.
Pick large leaves often for heavier production. Smooth-leaved spinach is easier to wash than the semi-savoyed type and is increasingly preferred. Heat, crowding and long day-length (over 14 hours) trigger premature bolting. To retard bolting, avoid hot-weather planting, use wider spacing and irrigate or use shade cloth.
The use of disease-resistant and hardy varieties, cold frames, row covers and hoophouses has made spinach into a nearly year-round crop. Growers should rely on Space or Oceanside for winter production.
Downy Mildew (DM) is caused in spinach by Peronospora farinosa f. sp. spinaciae. This pathogen evolves new races at a fast clip, challenging breeders and growers worldwide to keep up. Resistant varieties are the main management tool. While formerly considered Somebody Else’s Problem, spinach DM has popped up here and there in the Northeast on a seemingly random cross section of spinach varieties. Most cases have been in protected winter crops. Researchers such as Dr. Meg McGrath of Cornell, along with regional seed companies, are tracking these occurrences with hopes of more knowledge before it becomes a major problem.
Germination Testing
For the latest results of our germination tests, please see the germination page.
Our Seeds are Non-GMO
All of our seeds are non-GMO, and free of neonicotinoids and fungicides. Fedco is one of the original companies to sign the Safe Seed Pledge.
This item is certified organic