Very useful vegetable when others are scarce (Spinach)

Member Name: ecolojo

Product:	Spinach
Date:	27/10/09 (18 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Prolific and easy to grow

Disadvantages: Flavour slightly inferior to "real" spinach

Organic Perpetual or Beet Spinach
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Home grown perpetual spinach (Beta vulgaris var cicla) is a very productive crop that is easy to grow, easier than conventional spinach, and delicious. Perpetual Spinach is available into the winter, and will regrow vigourously early the following year, a welcome crop at a time when greens are scarce. See my article on suite101 for ideas on How to Cook Perpetual Spinach .

+++ How to Grow Organic Perpetual Spinach +++

Sow: If you want a summer crop from March to May but this is not the most useful time for a crop of Perpetual Spinach. More useful is the later harvest, from around November to April from seeds sown in July and August.

Harvest: If you pick individual leaves the plant will recover and regenerate more easily. In the spring when the plant starts to bolt, that is to produce spikey flower heads, cut the plant down to just above ground level with shears. The leaves will regrow for another couple of harvests.

Cooked Perpetual Spinach may be frozen, and the picked leaves will keep for a few days in the fridge.

Summary: Worth at least a small patch in the winter vegetable garden