How different is perpetual spinach?

[emily84]

I grew spinach last year with great success so decided I wanted to do it again, nothing can beat that fresh picked flavour!

So, I asked the OH to get some seeds while he was out and all he could get was Johnsons Spinach Beet (Perpertual Spinach) which says it is an alternative to spinach.

What's the difference between the two?

I have googled it and some websites suggest you have to eat perpetual spinach cooked however, personally, I prefer spinach as a salad leaf rather than cooked and mushy; however I'd like to be able to do both.

Can you eat perpetual spinach cooked and raw? And is it a good alternative or will I be better off getting some proper spinach seeds?

Thanks in advance,

Emily

[Bramble_killer]

I prefer 'proper' spinach but perpetual spinach (chard) grows better and doesn't bolt so quickly. The leaves are tougher and they have a slightly different flavor. It's personal taste, someone will come along and say the opposite in the minute.

[gan heather]

I'll say the opposite! I like both, but I prefer perpetual. I find it easier to grow, it doesn't bolt like regular spinach, and it really is "perpetual" (some I planted last year survived the winter and began growing again in the Spring). You can eat it raw - just pick the leaves when they're small (the same as you would do with regular spinach).

[hamsterqueen]

in total agreement with gan heather! It is virtually indestructible, definitely a 2 year crop until it bolts. It doesn;t mush down like 'proper spinach' and the small leaves are good in salads.

I love chard too

[Flummery]

So do I - and my chickens. I've always found 'real' spinach a beggar for bolting.

[Florence Fennel]

If you pick the perennial spinach young, it's perfectly ok to eat raw. Older pickings need steaming. I grow both.

[emily84]

Ok, great! Thanks everyone, I'll stick with those then!

[kingkano]

I agree with the ease of growing. Some of mine has overwintered and has now got going a goodun in this warm weather

[Jono]

Perpetual spinach is awesome, virtually indestructable!

I have it on my plot almost all year round. Really useful, can be folded into curries, pastas and all sorts of other dishes.

Wouldn't be without it.

[mrpaulbradley]

So delighted to see this thread. I've just sown some perpetual spinach for the first time ever. Looking forward to it being a success, judging by previous comments :-)

[piskieinboots]

I'm in the 'love it' camp - it is so easy to grow and tastes lovely, as said above, just pick small for salads

[Newton]

Hi everyone. If perpetual spinach is really chard, what is Swiss chard? I have been and will be growing Swiss but I have just planted some perpetual and don't really want to end up with the same thing as it is very prolific.

Are they the same thing?

[Two_Sheds]

Swiss Chard, rainbow chard, perpetual spinach, leaf beet etc are all versions of the same animal: beta vulgaris (beetroot)

grow the pretty ones

[hamsterqueen]

I'm trying Rhubarb Chard this year, no idea what it's like, just looked interesting!

[vegnut]

I'm growing some rainbow chard this year. Nice taste to spinach beet, it also looks amazing.