Perpetual Spinach

Perpetual Spinach, though botanically a beet, is one of the most useful and easy-to-grow "green" vegetables for the UK garden. Unlike true spinach, which is prone to bolting in hot weather or when water-stressed, Perpetual Spinach is incredibly resilient and can provide a continuous harvest of succulent green leaves for almost a year from a single sowing. The leaves have a milder flavor than true spinach and can be used in the same way, either raw in salads when young or cooked when more mature. It is very hardy and will usually continue to produce through the winter months. It grows well in almost any soil but prefers a fertile, moisture-retentive site. It is also remarkably tolerant of partial shade. Regular harvesting of the outer leaves encourages the plant to produce new growth from the centre. It is a reliable, low-maintenance alternative to spinach that rarely fails, making it ideal for novice gardeners or busy allotment holders.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Most soils, preferably moisture-retentive.

Hardiness: H4 — down to −10°C.

Flowering: Jun, Jul.