[fatbelly]

I have just sowed some 'Perpetual' Spinach. Its the 1st time I have grown Spinach, can you give me any tips?
I have sowed the seeds in a tray & will transplant them onto my plot when they are big enough.

Do they transplant well?
When harvesting do I take the whole plant, or is it cut & come again?
How long can I expect the harvest to last?
Are they hardy?
Do they need a feed or do I let them get on with it.

Thanks for any advice.

[mjpalin]

Hi

It's not a "true" spinach, but it's the only one we grow as less likely to bolt. Yes will transplant well, cut and come again. It seems hardy enough, ours lasts all through winter out on the plot, and doesn't seem to need anything particularly doing to it.

[surbie100]

I've had some on mine since this time last year. It's having a resurgence at the minute. I don't like it much, but the sparrows do, so I'm keeping it for a while so the birds get their greens. 

[madcat]

last winter was the first time it went through (usually the snow kills it) and I felt really bad when it had to come out to make room for the spuds.  I will plant in situ and thin.  Just easier!

[Godhelm]

Perpetual Spinach is like Swiss Chard, or 'Leaf Beet' - it makes large leaves which can be pulled off the plant as it grows, leaving the smaller leaves in the centre in place to keep on growing (at least, that is how I have harvested it and its relations). I prefer 'real' spinach for salads when young, but for cooking they are all fairly alike in that they 'wilt down' (go mushy) when cooked, so good for going in quiches, filling pasta (if you can be bothered), making curries, etc. You can transplant. Use a fertiliser (e.g. seaweed) which will encourage leafy growth.

[dumplings]

Don't grow too much, there is only two in our family and we find about ten plants is plenty, it certainly keeps going all winter. When you cook it take the spine out of the leaves.

[Madame Cholet]

Really easy plant sow in spring and autumn for all year round. A few small snail holes no other real problems.
can pick in winter if not too cold. I start in modules and plant out when big enough.

great wilted in scrambled egg or omelette, in soup, curries ect. wilt or steam squeeze out water and add to mash pot with a little grated cheese.

[al78]

I sowed some direct on the plot last spring and it is still going strong, although it is now throwing up flower stalks. Once it gets going you just pick what leaves you want and it just keeps producing. It stops growing over winter but there will still be plenty of leaves to harvest. I don't yet know how long it will last as I am still harvesting it. Hopefully it will last until this years sowing is ready. All in all an easy and productive crop to grow, once it gets going it needs little attention (keep an eye out for slugs).

[lettice]

As others on here, been growing Perpetual Spinach for years.
Sow seeds in March in greenhouse and transplant out. I also sow direct in soil from April.
Pick off what I want all through Summer, Autumn and Winter. This certainly keeps the plant producing.
A normal picking is usually 2-3 colander full, every few weeks, from 1 packet of seeds.
It does slow up a little over Winter, but gets a last surge Feb onwards, for pickings up until April, when it starts to go to seed.
What I like about Spinach, is that the slugs, snails and caterpillars keep away from it.

[barley]

one of my favourite crops 

easy to grow

keep picking and it keeps growing

freezes well

and served with a dob of melted butter mmmmmmm

[mjpalin]

one of my favourite crops 

easy to grow

keep picking and it keeps growing

freezes well

and served with a dob of melted butter mmmmmmm

Just need to add some Garlic to the butter and you have the perfect dish..mmmmmmmmm

[fatbelly]

There are 500 seeds in the packet. Does the seed store well? Can I use it next season?

[mjpalin]

Seems to store well.. i'm still on the same packet of seed that I started 5 years ago!

[barley]

defiantly give the garlic and butter a go 

[fatbelly]

Thanks Guys for all the replies I appreciate them all.
Perpetual Spinach looks like it's the perfect crop, it's easy to grow, keeps on cropping, doesn't get bothered too much by bugs & the weather & the seed can last years.