Spinach Giant Winter

The 'Winter Giant' Spinach is ideal for autumn cultivation; it is very productive and particularly hardy. Its large dark green leaves can be consumed both raw and cooked. It is a variety known as "short-day" spinach, which should be sown, preferably in the sun, from August to October for a harvest from October to January.

Traditionally mistreated by school catering services, spinach is undoubtedly the most dreaded vegetable by children. Yet, it is a tasty vegetable that can be prepared in a thousand ways: raw in spring salad, in Japanese fritters, quickly cooked in a wok or even in a savoury tart with small pieces of goat cheese.

Originating from Iran and belonging to the Chenopodiaceae family, like Beetroot and Swiss Chard, spinach is widely cultivated worldwide for its flavour and nutritional qualities. While the famous Popeye long praised its iron content, its remarkable vitamin B9 content is especially noteworthy.

Many spinach varieties require short or long days to prevent them from quickly going to seed. Each variety corresponds to a specific research area that should be respected: spring, autumn, winter, and even summer. Some varieties have spicy seeds, traditionally intended for spring or late autumn sowing. Thus, by carefully choosing your seeds, you can have this vegetable available all year round.

Spinach prefers rich, moist, and well-drained soils, particularly rich in nitrogen and potash. They thrive in winter sun and partial shade and even in full shade during the summer and in the hottest regions.

Harvest: Spinach is harvested leaf by leaf, according to their growth and needs. The leaves around the plant are cut, allowing the heart to continue developing and producing new leaves. The entire plant is only harvested when it shows the first signs of running to seed.

Storage: Spinach does not keep well in the refrigerator as it tends to become soft. It is best to consume it a few hours after harvesting. However, you can freeze it after blanching it for 3 minutes in salted boiling water.

Gardener's tip: Did you know spinach can be used as green manure? Sown in autumn at a rate of 30 grams per square metre, it can absorb and store the nitrogen in the soil. This preserves the nitrogen in the soil and prevents it from being washed away by winter rain. It's a great way to recycle a forgotten packet of seeds past its sell-by date!