Focus on...
Abundant, vitamin-packed leaves can be yours all year round with nifty sowings of Swiss chard and spinach, as Lucy explains the best ways to grow these leafy veg
THE word spinach encompasses all manner of leafy veg – spinach beet (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris, also known as Swiss chard) and annual spinach (Spinacia oleracea) are two very hardy examples. But look also for mountain spinach (Atriplex hortensis), New Zealand spinach (Tetragonia tetragonioides), Chinese spinach (Amaranthus tricolor), Malabar spinach (Basella alba) and even water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica). Just bear in mind that these latter five species won’t readily grow through our winters.
For simplicity, I’m focusing on the main hardy types: Swiss chard, perpetual spinach and annual spinach (see panel on page 20). Given a steady supply of moisture, these plants can give yearround leaves (see my top tips on page 20). Annual spinach is ideal for quick crops in small gaps, whereas sizeable chard plants make eye-catching additions (‘Bright Lights’ is a great blend to source) to any plot. Those of you in mild, sheltered locations with a glasshouse could even get away with modular sowings now, to transplant under glass or polycarbonate cloches in October.
“These plants can give you leaves all year round”
issues to watch out for
Bolting is the main hiccup, being caused by fluctuating temperatures, congestion and dry soils. Using cloches for early sowings, regular watering, adequate thinning and choosing the right varieties all help prevent it.
Mildew is no longer an issue as many resistant varieties, such as ‘Lazio’ and ‘Fiorano’, are now readily available. Also, the main pest, beet leaf miner, can be easily controlled by picking off the yellow leaf ‘tunnels’ as soon as they’re seen.