Spinach Monstrueux de Viroflay

Spinach ‘Monstrueux de Viroflay’

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Botanical Name: Spinacia oleracea

Lifecycle: Annual

Heritage: France, pre 1866

Heirloom Seed Variety  Plant Height: 30cm

‘Monstrueux de Viroflay’ Spinach offers large, crisp leaves that stay tender and delicious no matter how big it gets.

This is an old gourmet French heirloom dating to at least 1866, and believed to be present in the 16th and 17th centuries. Translating to “Monstrous of Viroflay” it is highly prized because it produces numerous large, long smooth leaves.

The plants can grow up to 60cm wide with dark green leaves 20cm in length. Very hardy and cold resistant, plus bolt resistant in warm weather too. It’s an early variety that grows quickly. It should be ready for baby leaf harvest in around 21 days, or in around 40-60 days from sowing for mature leaves.

SOWING:

Best Time To Sow Seeds Sowing Method: Sow Direct or Transplant

Spring - Autumn

Sow Direct, or Transplant

Spinach seeds are best sown in spring through autumn. Seeds can be sown in trays for transplanting, or directly in place approx. 5cm – 10cm apart when soil temperatures are between 10°c – 25°c.

Soil Temperature To Germinate Seeds Time To Germinate Seeds

10°c - 25°c

7 - 14 days

Transplant seedlings or thin directly sown seeds once plants have several true leaves to a final spacing of approx. 20cm apart. You can eat or re-transplant any thinnings.

Space Between Seedlings Approx Time Until Harvest Hardiness To Frosts

20cm

40 - 60 days

Hardy

TIPS:

This variety is only sold fresh and few market gardeners in Europe still produce it.

A tip for growing spinach is to grow it fast and harvest it fast, and grow it in the right seasons. Spinach is usually grown in early spring and autumn as it can bolt as the soil gets hot and dry in mid summer. Develops some bitterness once it bolts (starts to flower) so it’s best enjoyed before then.

Sow in early spring for your first crop, and again in late summer for an autumn crop. You can leave your autumn crop over winter to re-emerge the following spring. For a continuous supply sow every three to four weeks.

If sowing close to winter, transplanting can work well for allowing plants to get underway without experiencing significant losses from bug attacks. Remain vigilant for hungry slugs, snails and caterpillars.

Eat immediately upon picking for best flavour, or it will keep for a week or two in the fridge.

APPROX SEEDS PER PACKET:

HOME GARDEN ($3.50) 150 seeds

We offer shipping New Zealand wide. We aim to ship all orders as quickly as possible once payment has been received.

We do our best to ensure that orders placed by 12pm on business days will typically be shipped same day, however during peak times this may not be possible.

Please note that large and/or heavy items like accessories and seed potatoes cost significantly more to ship than small seed packets, so our shipping rates are on a sliding scale accordingly.

We're currently very busy but we'll have all orders shipped asap, thank you for your patience!

SHIPPING RATES

All orders are subject to a shipping and handling charge, outlined as follows:

URBAN NZ WIDE

Urban Courier Delivery (0kg-0.75kg):

$6.00

Urban Courier Delivery (0.751kg-1.5kg):

$8.00

Urban Courier Delivery (1.51kg-3.0kg): $10.00
Urban Courier Delivery (3.01kg-5.0kg): $12.00
Urban Courier Delivery (5.01kg-7.0kg): $14.00
Urban Courier Delivery (7.01kg-10kg): $16.00

RURAL NZ WIDE

Rural via Standard Post (max. 150g, untracked): $4.50
Rural Courier Delivery (0kg-0.75kg): $8.90
Rural Courier Delivery (0.751kg-1.5kg): $10.50
Rural Courier Delivery (1.51kg-3.0kg): $12.00
Rural Courier Delivery (3.01kg-5.0kg): $14.00
Rural Courier Delivery (5.01kg-7.0kg): $16.00
Rural Courier Delivery (7.01kg-10.0kg): $18.00

FREE SHIPPING OFFER

 Free Shipping NZ Wide: Orders $75 and over

We reserve the right to adjust any order where an incorrect shipping and handling charge has been applied, and to adjust our shipping rates as required.

ISSUES WITH SHIPMENT

In the unlikely event there is an error in your order we will correct this for you as soon as possible. Please ensure to check your order as soon as you receive it and inform us of any errors within 24 hours.

Our customers typically receive their orders within a few days of ordering, so if you have not received your order within 7 days please let us know immediately and we will follow this up for you. If your order has gone missing during transport we will make a claim with our shipping provider, which needs to be done within 14 days of dispatch.

To advise us of any errors with your shipment please email us on hello@growyours.nz

Botanical Name:

This is the formal scientific name for each plant, firstly identifying the genus and then the species to which it belongs.

The purpose of these Latin names is to have a single name that is accepted and used worldwide for a particular plant or plant group, and to help distinguish each plant uniquely from other plants.

Lifecycle:

This refers to the typical lifecycle of each plant.

Annual: Plants that complete their life cycle within 1 year (from germination to growing and producing seeds, then dying).

Biennial: Plants that complete their life cycle in 2 years (germinates and grows in the first year, then produces seeds and dies in the second year).

Perennial: Plants that have a life cycle of more than 2 years.

It is wise to consider the lifecycle of each plant before choosing its final growing position. For example, you may prefer to plant perennials away from annuals, so your perennials are not disturbed when your annuals are harvested at the end of their relatively short lifecycle.

Heritage:

This refers to the geographic region and approximate date of origin, as it is best known for each variety.

Please note that varieties listed as “pre 1900’s” are very old varieties that have often been grown for hundreds of years, and as such their specific dates of origin are hard to list accurately.

Best Sown:

This refers to when it is suggested the seeds are best sown, to encourage strong and vigorous growth in their ideal seasonal conditions.

Please note that while some varieties may be able to be sown outside the range suggested, they will generally perform best when sown in the approximate seasonal ranges provided.

Sowing Method:

This refers to the suggested method for sowing each variety. Using the appropriate sowing method will help to ensure you achieve best results.

Direct Sow: These are seeds that perform well when sown directly into your garden. These seeds normally produce fast growing and strong seedlings. Please note that young seedlings may still need some protection from harsh weather and pests.

Transplant: These are seeds that perform well when started in trays or containers and then transplanted to their final position once they’re a bit stronger. These seeds often produce slower growing and weaker seedlings that need some care and protection from weather and pests. Seedlings can typically be transplanted to their final position once they are large enough to handle (for example 5+cm tall with several true leaves).

Please note that for varieties where we list both methods you have the choice.

Soil Temp To Germinate:

This refers to the approximate soil temperature range for optimum germination of the seeds.

Please note that while some germination may occur outside these ranges, the seeds will typically germinate strongest when sown in the optimum soil temperature range provided.

Approx. Time To Germinate:

This refers to the approximate amount of time it takes for the seeds to germinate.

Please note that while some variation may occur, with ideal conditions this represents an average amount of time before germination. This relies in part on the seeds being sown in soil at an ideal temperature for germination, per the heading above.

Spacing For Seedlings:

This is the recommended spacing between plants in their final growing position.

Please note that spacing plants closer together than suggested will likely result in underperforming plants, due to crowding and over-competition for root space and available nutrients.

Approx. Time To Harvest:

This is the number of days until the plant typically reaches the purpose for which it is normally grown. For example, this is the time it takes for the plant to fruit or flower, or until the leaves are ready to be picked, etc.

Please note that while this refers to the beginning of harvesting time, the plants could keep growing for an extended period yet, particularly if kept well looked after.

Hardiness To Frosts:

This refers to how tolerant the plant is of frost and cold weather.

Tender: Plants that will be injured or killed by frost and cold weather. These plants will probably not survive winter.

Half-Hardy: Plants that will not tolerate severe frosts, but should otherwise survive winter.

Hardy: Plants that have the ability to survive frost and cold weather. These plants should survive winter. 

Customer Reviews

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Sharron

Great service seeds are very reliable great to buy from grows yrs

R
Rachel Walsh

Spinach ‘Monstrueux de Viroflay’

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