If you are looking for something special for your vegetable patch and don't always want to grow the standard vegetables, strawberry spinach is just the thing.
The vegetable rarity is not only pretty to look at, but is also very he althy due to the high vitamin C content. With their nutty, earthy aromas and harmonious character, the leaves of the plant are particularly suitable for culinary use. In terms of color, shape and taste, the berries are more reminiscent of raspberries, which have little in common with the strawberry that gives them their name. The fruits present themselves in terms of taste with a full-bodied spirit, which is very varied in sweet, fruity aromas. So if you want to give your dishes a special touch, you should reserve a spot in the vegetable patch for the strawberry spinach.
Origin of the vegetable rarity
Strawberry spinach, also known as goosefoot and botanically Chenopodium foliosum or Blitum virgatum, is not a hybrid of spinach and strawberry, as might be expected. Rather, it is a vegetable from the foxtail family. In addition to the native Chenopodium foliosum, there is also the North American spiked strawberry spinach, which has the botanical name Chenopodium capitatum. Both types can be harvested, prepared and eaten like spinach.
For a time, wild strawberry spinach was cultivated as a summer leafy vegetable. Since real spinach is much easier to harvest, it quickly replaced strawberry spinach from the 16th century. This truly ancient vegetable is experiencing a renaissance in today's culinary cuisine. The name strawberry spinach expresses the fact that the plant bears small, red and edible fruits. They do not present themselves with a particularly pronounced aroma and their taste is reminiscent of wild berries.
Plant appearance and growth
The strawberry spinach is an annual plant. The flowering period extends from June to July. It seeds profusely and the leaves grow straight out of the ground without a stem, forming a rosette of leaves. The branched stems of the plant, which is about 15 to 70 centimeters high, are bare and stand upright. theLeaves reach to the inflorescences and reach a length of about eight centimeters. They also have a dark green color and are slightly serrated.
It is noticeable that the flowers are spherical and form a ball around the axis. The flowers then develop into clusters of fruit, which when ripe have a dark red hue and are reminiscent of wild strawberries or small raspberries.
Perfect neighbors for the strawberry spinach
One of strawberry spinach's perfect neighbors is spring onions. The Chenopodium foliosum is also very suitable as an intercrop for celery and tomatoes. It can also be planted as a subculture between the pole beans. However, the prerequisite is that the strawberry spinach is harvested regularly. However, the green summer vegetables are less favorable for cabbage types.
Tip:
If the strawberry spinach or the fruit do not want to be eaten, the plant is also suitable as a decorative splash of color for the path border or for planting in balcony tubs and Boxes.
Cultivation of strawberry spinach
❍ Planting time:
In the period from mid-March to mid-April, the strawberry spinach is planted directly in the bed. Theoretically, strawberry spinach can also be sown into July. However, the plants tend to bolt when sown later. This keeps the leaves rather small.
❍ Preferred location and soil type:
The strawberry spinach loves a sunny to partially shaded spot. The soil should be fresh and nutrient-rich. A sandy, humus-rich garden soil that only contains a small amount of clay is a popular choice.
❍ Sowing:
Sow in rows two to three centimeters deep, about 25 centimeters apart. In colder temperatures, you should cover the young plants with fleece if necessary. If germs show up after two to three weeks, you should plant the individual seedlings at a distance of 20 to 30 centimeters from each other when they have reached a height of about 5 centimetres.
Caring for Strawberry Spinach
To keep the leaves tender, you should water the Chenopodium foliosum regularly. But beware: the plants do not like waterlogging. In addition, the leaves of the strawberry spinach can grow properly if you occasionally loosen the soil between the plants.
Tip:
If you want to multiply the strawberry spinach, you don't have to worry about anything. theThe plant will self-seed and will multiply itself in the vegetable patch.
Harvest strawberry spinach and use it in the kitchen
The first leaves can be harvested in about six weeks after sowing. However, harvesting is a little more difficult than with normal spinach. Because the leaves of the Chenopodium foliosum are smaller and more elongated. The yield is also significantly lower compared to conventional spinach.
The young leaves are simply plucked or cut off the plant and then processed immediately. Since the older leaves of strawberry spinach are no longer as tasty, the harvest should be over by the time flowering begins.
The young leaves can then be used to make delicious green smoothies. The leaves can also be cooked or steamed as a vegetable accompaniment to various dishes. The fruits of the strawberry spinach have a faint flavor that is a little reminiscent of raspberries. However, they are still excellent for garnishing salads or for decorating dishes.
Diseases and pests in strawberry spinach
Basically, strawberry spinach is relatively resistant to diseases and pests. However, powdery mildew can occur, which is a common fungal disease found in the garden. Powdery mildew can always be found on the upper side of the leaf. First it is white and later it often gets a dirty, brownish or greyish colour. Spraying with garlic broth, for example, helps against an infestation.