DESCRIPTION
Technically, New Zealand is not a true spinach. It has a dwarf and trailing habit so it is important to pinch out the growing point to encourage bushiness. This type is not frost hardy so should be sown from May to August.
Spinach is a very tasty vegetable which can be used raw in salads, boiled or steamed. It is best eaten when picked young and as long as the leaves are picked regularly and young, they will remain tender and mild in flavour. When cooking spinach, the water left on the leaves after washing them is a sufficient amount for it to be cooked in.
Pack size: 50 Seeds
WHEN TO SOW
April to June
WHERE TO SOW
Soak seeds for 12 hours before sowing. Early sowings can be made in trays of seed sowing compost under glass at a temperature of 15C . Cover seeds to own depth with sieved compost. Later sowings can be made direct into growing site 2cm (3/4in) deep.
WHAT TO DO NEXT
Glasshouse sowings can be pricked out into trays spaced 5cm (2in) apart and gradually hardened off before planting out at distance detailed below after all risk of frost has passed. Direct sowings should be gradually thinned to 30-45cm (12-18in) apart with 60cm (24in) between the rows.
MATURITY
July to October
HANDY TIP
The plants have a trailing habit, so pinch out the growing tip when 30-40cm (12-16") long to encourage side shoots.
NUTRITIONAL VALUE
A good source of pro-vitamin A, vitamin C, lutein and dietary fibre.