Spinach New Zealand
New Zealand spinach grows better on humus-rich soil. A sunny, sheltered place provides optimal conditions for its growth.
You can grow seedlings from the middle of March under glass at a temperature of at least 20 ° C.It is best to plant 3 seeds in one pot to grow the strongest of the plants. Soaking seeds in water at night leads to good results. Landing in the open ground is carried out from the middle of May. Each plant should have a plot of 80 x 80 cm. New Zealand spinach needs more fertilizer than conventional spinach, and it should not be restricted in nutrients. Recommended follow-up fertilization, because the plant initially develops slowly.
In the first days after planting, it is often necessary to loosen the soil. Watering is carried out depending on the need. To start the plants early branching, you need to prune the ends of the shoots. From the beginning of July, you can break off the first leaves. The younger they are, the better their taste. The ends of the shoots continue to grow after this.
Harvesting: spinach can be removed for 30-40 days after sowing. At this time, plants have 5-6 well developed leaves, and some - a small stem. Plants are selected from the ground, remove the yellowed leaves and put them in boxes downward. Sometimes plants are cut at the level of the lower leaves, but in this case they are kept worse. Spinach leaves are well preserved for 5-7 days at a temperature of 0.5-1 ° C and air humidity 95-96 %. At -1-2 ° C spinach can be stored for up to 3 months.
Usage: spinach helps to normalize the activity of the digestive system, cardiovascular system, the formation of bones. In baby food, it is needed most, as it is rich in anti-vitamin D2 and mineral salts. However, due to the high content of oxalic acid, its use by people with impaired salt metabolism should be limited. In the food are large leaves of young plants, which do not yet have peduncles, best of all-fresh. From spinach it is possible to prepare soups, puddings, cutlets, mashed potatoes and juices. It is added to salads, dried or frozen.