Originating from Persia, this leafy green vegetable belongs to the amaranth family and is closely related to beets and quinoa. What’s more, it’s loaded with nutrients and antioxidants. Grown in spring and fall it’s a cool season variety that can bolt in summers long, hot days. For summer growing try using the bolt-tolerant New Zealand Spinach. It’s more heat resistant and ideal for late spring/early summer sowing.

How to Grow: Sow seed 12 mm (1/2”) deep and 2.5 cm (1”) apart in rows 30-45 cm (12-18”) apart as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring and every two weeks after that until late spring.

Thinning: Thin to 5-7.5 cm (2-3”) after germination – this is the secret to the best crops. Sow again in mid to late August for fall crops. Top-dress with compost, after seedlings are well established.

Try sowing a crop of Long Standing Bloomsdale very late in the fall and cover with mulch. It will over winter for an early spring harvest.

Harvesting: Begin picking the young leaves early in the season to enjoy them in their prime!