Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
GROWING FOR SEED
Strawberry spinach is a light feeder that can be grown in practically every soil.
Seeds need 15 to 20 days to germinate. Spring seedings (one to two months before last anticipated
spring frost) bolt relatively quickly. Late summer/early autumn seedings develop robust rosettes the
following year before flowering. Strawberry spinach leaves can be harvested for the table three months
after planting. Do not harvest leaves from plants intended for seed production.
HARVEST
Leave the red fruits on the plant until they begin to wilt. Seeds must be freed from the fruits
for storage. Place fruits in a bowl of water and carefully puree with a hand mixer, or press fruits
through a fine sieve. Then wash and dry seeds. Or mash fruits and let soak in water for one to two days
(see “Wet Processing Without Fermentation”) and then wash.
SELECTION CHARACTERISTICS
Little breeding work has been accomplished, and there are no variet-
ies of strawberry spinach per se, only different origins. Potential selection criteria:
• development of a robust leaf rosette
• bolt resistance
• good flavor
• abundant fruit set
The red fruits of strawberry spinach are great for garnishing entrees.
DISEASES AND PESTS
No problems are known to us. Still, there remains the potential that anything
that affects other chenopods could affect strawberry spinach.
CULTIVATION HISTORY
Strawberry spinach originally comes from southern Europe and central Asia.
It has been cultivated over the centuries in European gardens, as an ornamental and as a vegetable, and
is sometimes found naturalized near dumps and along paths. Yet another of the leafy vegetables that
lost popularity in favor of spinach in the Middle Ages, the strawberry spinach is even now rarely
grown but enjoying a resurgence, thanks to its brilliantly colored fruits.
