Mr Fothergill's Spinach Beet Perpetual Spinach Seeds, Easy to grow alternative to spinach. Pinch out the central shoots of the plants to prolong the period of harvest. Cook leaf beet as you would spinach.

Sow outdoors thinly where they are to crop, 2.5cm deep directly into finely prepared soil which has already been watered. Allow 40cm between rows. Early sowings may benefit from cloche protection. Seedlings usually appear in 7-21 days. Water well until plants are established. Thin out to 15cm apart. 1 or 2 repeat sowings will ensure a continuous supply of leaves. Pick a few leaves at a time, without stripping plants. Give cloche protection from October onwards to encourage cropping into the winter months.

• Delicious spinach alternative, but easier to grow
• High yields of nutritious greens, resists bolting in summer
• Excellent source of folate and good for potassium

Sow time: Mar-Jul
Flowering/Harvesting time: Jun-Oct