Spinach El Forte F1 — a hybrid variety developed for year-round cultivation, both outdoors and in enclosed spaces, including greenhouses and balconies. The plant forms a compact rosette 20-30 cm tall with dark green, dense, round leaves on short petioles. This variety is highly frost-resistant, tolerating temperatures down to -6…-8°C, and prefers cool conditions, making it less suitable for southern regions with hot climates. El Forte F1 is resistant to downy mildew and bolting, ensuring a stable yield and high-quality greens. The spinach’s vegetative period is approximately 42-43 days, after which the plant is ready for harvest. Yield reaches 2.2 kg per square meter. Leaves maintain their market appearance during prolonged storage, making them suitable for both fresh market use and processing. The crop requires moderate watering, soil loosening, and protection from pests. For cultivation, fertile soil with neutral pH is recommended. Due to its characteristics, spinach El Forte F1 is suitable for producing baby leaves — young greens popular in culinary applications. Spinach El Forte F1 is rich in beneficial nutrients, including folic acid, making it a valuable product for healthy diets. Young leaves are consumed raw, added to salads, juices, sauces, and vegetable ragus, while more mature leaves are suitable for steaming, frying, and stewing. The greens can also be frozen for long-term storage. This variety boasts excellent market appearance and versatility in use, making it popular both for home cultivation and commercial production.
