Strawberry Spinach [Chenopodium capitatum]

The perennial strawberry spinach is an old rarity and almost forgotten leaf vegetable plant for moist locations. The mulberry-like edible fruits are juicy and are suitable for making dyes. Ideal for direct sowing or pre-cultivation, pot cultivation possible, sowing spring-summer, good for mixed culture, harvest the leaves as spinach.

 Description 
Strawberry spinach is an old, almost forgotten perennial leaf vegetable plant that originates from North America, where it grows on wet, shady banks of rivers and lakes, and as a herb in cultivated land. This particular species came to Europe at the beginning of the 17th century, where it was cultivated as a rarity and later as a leaf vegetable. The plant forms a basal rosette of leaves and bare triangular leaves that are similar to spinach in taste and use. After the special raspberry-like blossom, the red, juicy, fleshy and vitamin-rich mulberry-like fruits develop, which have a very subtle taste and not a particularly pronounced aroma. The species is ideal for pot cultivation, and a red dye can be obtained from the fruits.

 General information 
Plant family: Amaranthaceae
Life cycle: Perennial
Days to harvest: 100 days
Plant height approx.: 70 cm
Root type: Deep rooter
Nutrient requirements: Medium
Water requirements: Medium
Winter hardiness: Up to -10°C
Location: Sunny until semi shady
Soil: Permeable, loamy, humus

pH value: 6 to 7

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Dark germinator
Sowing depth: 1-2 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 15-20 °C
Germination time: 10-21 days
Plant and row spacing: 25x30 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 1-2 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: Spring onion, Tomato, Celery, Bean
Unfavorable mixed culture: Cabbage

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Direct sowing is recommended from February to September. The plants are best placed in a sunny to partially shaded location.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Direct sowing is recommended from March to May. The plants should ideally be planted in a sunny location.

 General recommendations 
Direct sowing in rows or scattered with subsequent digging is recommended.
Strawberry spinach ideally prefers soil that is moist, permeable, nutrient-rich and contains plenty of humus and clay. It does not tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
If the seeds are sown late, the plants tend to bolt and therefore only develop small leaves. If the temperatures are too cold in winter, the plant dies and sprouts again in spring. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water storage capacity, it is recommended to also incorporate biochar and primary rock flour.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds.

 Plant care 
Regularly loosening the soil promotes growth. Nutrient-rich soil and planting in mixed culture is sufficient. No fertilization necessary.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Chenopodium capitatum, Blitum capitatum
English names: Strawberry spinach
German names: Erdbeerspinat, Kopfiger Erdbeerspinat, Ähriger Erdbeerspinat
Portuguese names: Espinafre morango
Spanish names: Espinaca fresa
French names: Épinards aux fraises

 Origin 
Country: Germany