Fordhook Giant (Spinach Star Series) is a robust, fast-growing spinach variety known for its large, dark green, crinkled leaves and excellent regrowth capacity. This variety performs exceptionally well under both cool and warm climates, making it a favorite for year-round production.

It produces tender, flavorful leaves ideal for fresh market sales, home gardens, and commercial farms. The Fordhook Giant – Spinach Star variety is highly nutritious, rich in iron, vitamins A, C, and K, and well-suited for multiple harvests per planting.

Key Features & Benefits

• High Yielding: Produces heavy, broad leaves with vigorous regrowth after each cut.

• Heat & Drought Tolerant: Performs well even under moderate heat stress.

• Excellent Leaf Quality: Tender, deep green leaves with rich flavor.

• Fast Maturity: Ready for first harvest in 5–6 weeks after sowing.

• Disease Resistance: Tolerant to common spinach diseases such as downy mildew and leaf spot.

• Multiple Harvests: Can be harvested continuously for several weeks.

Growing Recommendations

1. Soil Preparation:

   • Choose well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter.

   • Optimal pH: 6.0–7.0.

2. Planting:

   • Sow seeds directly into moist soil at a depth of 1–1.5 cm.

   • Spacing: 30cm between rows, 10cm between plants.

3. Fertilization:

   • Apply well-decomposed manure and NPK 20:10:10 before planting.

   • Supplement with calcium nitrate or foliar feeds (e.g., Vegetative Plus) after each harvest for faster regrowth.

4. Watering:

   • Maintain consistent moisture but avoid waterlogging.

5. Pest & Disease Management:

   • Monitor for aphids and leaf miners.

   • Use appropriate Kuza Agrochem crop protection products for control.

Harvesting

• Start harvesting 35–40 days after planting.

• Pick outer leaves first to allow inner leaves to continue growing.

• Continuous harvesting possible for 6–8 weeks with proper care.

Storage & Handling

• Store harvested leaves in cool, shaded, and well-ventilated areas.

• Avoid excessive handling to reduce bruising.

Why Choose Fordhook Giant – Spinach Star?

✅ Proven variety trusted by farmers for decades.
✅ Adaptable to different Kenyan regions and seasons.
✅ High yields with excellent leaf texture and color.
✅ Ideal for both small-scale and commercial production.
✅ Excellent market acceptance and nutritional value.

Composition

• Seed Type: Open-Pollinated Variety (OPV)

• Purity: ≥98%

• Germination Rate: ≥95%

• Moisture Content: <8%

Best For

• Fresh market and home consumption

• Smallholder and large-scale farms

• All-year-round spinach production

Rate of Use

• 100g: Sufficient for approximately 300–400m² of planting area.

Benefits

• High yield per area.

• Consistent leaf quality and color.

• Tolerant to common leaf diseases.

• Quick maturity and multiple harvests.

• Nutritious and market preferred.