Last Updated on April 11, 2024 by Real Men Sow
I’m a perpetual spinach bore. I could talk about this leafy green until the cow’s come home. Harvesting last night, I realised I’ve blogged about it several times before, but never brought all the interesting perpetual spinach quirks and qualities together. So, ladies and gentlemen, here are 8 things you might or might not know about perpetual spinach.
What is Perpetual Spinach?
Perpetual spinach isn’t spinach, but a type of chard. It is very similar to spinach but has a slightly earthier taste.
How Long Does Perpetual Spinach Last?
Perpetual spinach is incredibly long-lasting and will be on the plot for 9 months before going to seed. Time sowings well, and you can be harvesting perpetual spinach all year round. The seeds can be sown as early as March and as late as August, which will provide harvests during both summer and winter. Later sowings undercover will do well too.
When Should You Pick Perpetual Spinach?
Keeping picking the leaves! One of the best things about perpetual spinach is that it is a cut and come again vegetable. The more you pick, the more the roots produce.
How to Plant Perpetual Spinach?
Plant Them During a Warm Period
During the warmer months, perpetual spinach grows at an incredibly speedy rate. I’ve sown in late spring before and harvested 5 weeks later.
Watering
I don’t tend to thin my rows, but if you do, replant the thinnings. With regular watering, they’ll establish quickly and redouble your crop.
Use Containers
You could consider putting the seedlings into containers. Perpetual spinach is a great container vegetable and shade tolerant, making it perfect for small spaces, patios, and balconies. An extra container sowing is also great for salad leaves. Pick them when they’re young and tender to bulk up salads all year round.
Is Perpetual Spinach Safe to Eat?
Absolutely! Not only it is safe to eat but it is also a delicious pizza topping. I love the versatility of perpetual spinach too. A big handful of leaves can be used as part of a pizza topping or folded into curries, pies, pasta, tarts, and quiches. We add leaves to many meals at the last minute, either steamed in the pan or blanched briefly first.
Sometimes though, this wholesome vegetable needs to take the limelight, rather than being a supporting act. This calls for spanakopita, a Greek dish where the spinach is sandwiched in pastry with feta cheese. Quick, easy and delicious, and a favourite in my house.
Don’t waste the stems in dishes either – they can be eaten too and go well in curries.
The healthy, brave leaves are a welcome reminder of the more productive days ahead.
Thanks, perpetual spinach, you’re a star.
It is a great vegetable for when there’s not much else about. It does surprisingly well in my very poor soil as well, which is a huge plus for me.
Thanks for the information. Just growing it for the first time this year so needed to know this. Love spinach so hoping it will be as good for my cooking and green smoothies.
I’ve finally got my allotment plot after two years and it’s taken me two months to clear space to grow something. I’ve put in onions broad beans garlic turnips and perpetual spinach. October now and it all seems to be doing well !.
Tasted it for the first time I absolutely love it definitely going to grow it😋