Flowering Spinach

[squashysu]

My spinach has heads on it and looks like it is about to flower, is this ok, or do i need to pull it up and eat it all, we have had some and it is lovely.

Thanks for your help.

SS

[PAULW]

Spinach is prone to bolting when the weather warms up, I had three carrier bags full from mine which has now bolted so I have ripped it out and will sow something else in its place

[rustylady]

At least pick the flowering bits off, you may get some sideshoots which will be edible. Spinach hates hot dry weather (not that weve had any yet).

[squashysu]

so spinach for my OH tonight and the next few days, so this must be bolting then, but still the piggies love it and i can always just plant out some more i think, thanks for your help

SS

[gojiberry]

I have had half a dozen lots bolt, I just keep resowing around the lottie where I find a bit of space. When I pull it up I use it as a veg including the bits that have started to flower. It is the same with chard. You will probably need to keep resowing till about August.

Ian

[Alice]

If you've got a lot Squashysue you can cook it and freeze it in portion sizes. It's fine for adding to soup and curries.

[sewer rat]

Try planting the Perpetual Spinach type - much less prone to bolting and use as a CCA crop.

[Demeter]

Try planting the Perpetual Spinach type - much less prone to bolting and use as a CCA crop.

What is CCA?

[squashysu]

thanks everyone

some great tips there, i think i will be cooking some and freezing and also giving the little piggies some as they love it!!

SS

[Mike and Louise]

Ours too are about to flower and we were told to pinch out the flower tips.
Our spinach plants are HUGE but even the biggest leaves still taste fine.

[vegnut]

What is CCA?

It stands for cut and come again Demeter. Just cut a few leaves off as you need it, and it will grow some more for next time

[Demeter]

Aha - thanks vegnut!
(I knew it would be something obvious...)