Tree spinach

Tree spinach is an annual and dies after the seeds ripen. The plant itself does not survive a winter in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In autumn, leave individual plants standing until the seeds are ripe and collect the ripe seeds, keeping them dry and cool, or simply let them self-seed; the seeds overwinter in the soil and germinate by themselves in spring. From April you can also sow again deliberately.

You propagate tree spinach only from seed. As a one- to two-year plant that is practically grown as an annual in the home garden, it forms no divisible rhizomes or usable cuttings. You have two options: either sow directly in the final bed from mid-April (direct sowing), or raise plants under glass from March and plant out after the last frosts. Tree spinach is a light germinator. Press the seeds only lightly onto the soil and do not cover them. Keep the seed evenly moist until germination; germination usually takes place within one to two weeks. If you want to protect against slugs, it is better to raise plants in pots and set the young plants into the open ground only once they are large enough. The plant self-seeds reliably: if you leave individual plants standing until November, you will find self-sown seedlings the next spring. If you want to collect your own seed, wait until the seeds are anthracite to black in colour. The side shoots ripen last, often only in October or November. Dried seeds stay viable for about four to five years if kept cool, dark and dry.