Todd de Almeida, age 8, of Tacoma, Wash., for his question:

IS SPINACH REALLY GOOD FOR YOU?

Spinach really is good for you, the nutritionists tell us. It is high in vitamin value and in minerals. It is an excellent source of vitamins A and C and a fair source of vitamins of the B complex. In addition, it has a large amount of fiber and acts as a mild laxative.

Spinach is a vegetable that came originally from Asia. Also, the Persians once used it as medicine. Englishmen cultivated it as early as 1500 and Americans started growing it during colonial times.

Spinach is a low growing annual plant that produces a thick cluster of wide, succulent leaves. People, including Popeye, eat the leaves raw or cooked. Spinach is related to beets, Swiss chard and the common weed lambs quarters.

Spinach grows rapidly and is easy to grow. The plant grows best in a fertile, sandy loam. It does not grow well in an acid soil. About three months after it is planted, the crop is ready for harvest. Often two crops can be grown during one season.