Spinaches

Spinaches

New Zealand Spinach

·        New Zealand spinach is not a true spinach but is very popular for growing during warm summer weather, when regular spinach can "bolt". A heavy yield can be harvested throughout the summer. It is very high in vitamin content. Use as you would regular spinach.

·        Approximately 70 days to maturity.

·        Space rows up to 2 feet apart depending upon space; plants will "sprawl".

·        When seedlings are 3 to 4 inches high, thin to about 12 inches apart.

·        The leaves are triangular in shape, and very succulent. They grow on long, rambling stalks.

·        The seeds are triangular as well and the plant will reseed if you let it.

·        It tends to spread and grow low to the ground.

·        It can be used as a living mulch since it so effectively covers the soil in a vegetable bed.

·        This green keeps on growing and seems to be unaffected by the bugs and problems that affect other greens.

·        This is a very robust plant. It tolerates drought, bugs, salt and poor soil.  

·        It does much better in heat than true.

·        New Zealand spinach can be grown in the summer when other greens may not grow so well.

Beetberry Spinach

                                                                 

·        (Strawberry spinach, Raspberry chenopodium) Family: Chenopodiaceae

·        Days to maturity: 40 to 60

·        Growing to only about 8 inches tall, the sweeping branches bear many soft leaves and are studded with multitudes of berries.

·        Sweet but strange, bright red, heavily seeded berries occur all along the stems of this lamb's-quarters-like plant.

·        The berries make a colorful and edible accent in the garden and in salads.

·        The greens are deliciously edible in salads or as a pot herb.

·        Best yet, the parsnip-like roots are crispy, sweet, and delicious, white but marbled with beet red, with just a hint of beetiness to the taste, and may be consumed fresh or cooked in soups.

·        Plant prefers full sun to part shade and regular garden soils.

·        Sow in spring.

·        Easy germination.

Red Malabar Spinach

·        This beautiful plant is not a true spinach but a different species (basella rubra).

·        70 days.

·        'Malabar Red Stem' features thick red stems that twine around any support that you provide for it.

·        Use the medium-green leaves as you would spinach.

·        Begin harvesting individual leaves and tender shoot tips 55 days or so after seeding.

·        Continue harvesting throughout the summer.

·        The newer leaves and shoots will be more tender than mature foliage.

·        Heat loving.

·        Frost sensitive.

·        Vigorous climbing vines grow through summer into fall.

·        Dark green leaves and deep red/purple stems.

·        Mild Swiss chard taste.

·        Use leaves and young stems sparingly in salads or stir-fries.

·        Transplant outside after danger of frost.

·        Thin to 6" between plants, rows 12" apart.

·        Provide trellis.