Silverbeet and Spinach

Two easy to grow leafy greens that grow best this time of year and are especially good for you.

Spinach is an excellent source of iron, calcium, chlorophyll, beta carotene (needed for the production of vitamin A), vitamin C, riboflavin, sodium and potassium. The sulphur content of spinach helps to clean the liver, and its vitamin A content can help prevent night blindness. Spinach has a high calcium content, however the oxalate content in spinach binds with calcium decreasing its absorption. Fresh spinach loses much of its nutritional value with storage of more than a few days so by growing your own and picking it yourself dramatically increases its health properties.

You will get quick results from planting seedlings, water with seaweed and alternating with a liquid feed such as Harvest or Powerfeed. English Spinach (both the English and the baby varieties) love the cold weather, while Silverbeet and Rainbow Chard (with rainbow coloured stems) can be grown all throughout the year. You need to push them along quickly for the best taste. Look out for a big leafed tasty variety called 'Fordhook Giant'.

Grown as a cut and come again crop, harvesting is best done by picking the outside leaves first. Liquid feed to encourage further leaves.