Red Orach; Mountain Spinach |
Origin: Europe/Asia
Preferred Situation: Sun; well draining garden soil.
Harvest Date: Thursday 29 October, 2009
Seed count: 60-75
Description:
30-50 days. This variety has dark red leaves that is great as a spinach substitute when the warm weather has knocked that crop down. Nice thick buttery tasting leaves keep their colour whether grown in shade or sun. No doubt adds colour where ever its used where it be fresh in salads or used in soups, stews, wrapped in pastry (Greek style) or simply steamed. Looks great in an flower bed or mixed in with other veggies. Tall plants grow 60-200 cm tall. Very productive.
Notes:
If sowing is too thick, thin out via scissors (lessens water used to wash dirt from the leaves) and use as baby greens!
Cultivation:
Prolific self seeder here on the west coast so you can sow in the fall here but protect from birds and other seed seekers. Spring sowing can be done as soon as the ground can be worked. Prepare pots or direct sow. Cover seed, mist well, quick to germinate in 7-20 days depending on soil temp. Don't let seedlings dry out. A layer of mulch will help conserve soil moisture for these moisture loving plants (as most veggies are).
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