Spinach - perpetual or annual...

Perpetual spinach is ok as a substitute when cooked, but raw it's nowhere near as sweet and tender as true spinach, even when the leaves are picked young. That said, it doesn't bolt in the midsummer heat.

If you want something longer lived than annual spinach. but still very mild and tender, I would recommend Erbette.  It is pretty long lived - mine from a direct sowing last spring are still hanging in and starting to resprout, although it will be a battle of wills from now on to stop them bolting 

If you want a few seeds to try Mr G, just let me know.  I have a stash 

Thank you Folks!

With your advice, I think the space will endure an annual crop now - the soil is perfect for such an abundant row, (it's an old compost heap - slightly re-organised), and a speedy growth normally means a tender result! (Well, that's what Mrs Growster always tells me...:0)

As I have a spare cubic inch in the freezer, I may well try some there as well, but as I'm off to Twongos tomorrow, don't bet on it...!

I was thinking of putting in a row of annual spinach, so please let me know what you get Growster as both OH and I quite like it for a change but don't want a bitter one.

To date, we've used 'Trumpet' F1, but we don't let it get too old and woody, and just harvest the small sweeter leaves - about the same size you see in the supermarket! It's a lovely green accompaniment to Lamb's lettuce and rocket! Last year the whole lot grew quite happily in a few trays, on a raised shelf outside!

As I now have some more space, I'll will pop them in the new composty soil!

When we get a Riverford box they often have something they call 'true spinach' I assume because it's easier to grow organically, so may well be suited to allotment growing. I'm afraid I've know idea of it's availability of growing conditions, but it's very nice.

Thanks, Celeriac! Looking at their website, I guess that the Trumpet we grow is identical but they don't show a pic...

Small leaves are perfect for what we want, so it's an annual one for this year - the compost bed will be over a foot deep!