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Beet Perpetual Spinach

Name: Beet Perpetual Spinach - Kahikatea Farm Certified Organic Nursery and Permaculture Farm
Price: 5.50 NZD
Availability: InStock

Beta vulgaris var cicla

$5.50

An old European variety dating back to around 1869. Hardy biennial with leaves for use like silver beet or spinach but with thinner ribs than silver beet, and also tolerating a wider range of heat and cold. The leaves are mild and sweet and also contain lower levels of oxalic acid than silverbeet. Abundant crops over a long period – in fact if flowering stems are pinched out and the plant is not allowed to flower the plants can remain perennial for several years. Frost hardy. Height to 40cm.

9 cm pot

Photo credit: Jenni Coulson

Cultivation

Full sun or part shade in average soils, but will crop best with plentiful moisture and organic matter. Perfect for growing in pots, in vege plots with limited space, or where you simply don’t have the appetite for a huge crop of standard silverbeet! May need protection from birds, especially sparrows and pigeons.

Uses

Use like spinach or silverbeet, either raw or cooked. A great addition to smoothies, baked ‘au gratin’, or Provencal style sauted with olive oil and garlic then cooked with tomatoes. . It is rich in vitamin A, C (one cup supplies one fifth of your daily requirement), and K, and minerals such as iron, magnesium, phosphorous, folate, potassium and calcium. It also contains phytonutrients and fibre. A useful understory plant in your food forest or forest garden.

Medicinal Uses

Let food be thy medicine – beet is rich in vitamin A, C (one cup supplies one fifth of your daily requirement), and K, and minerals such as Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorous, folate, Potassium and Calcium. It also contains Phytonutrients and fibre.

Beet contains betaine which is said to encourage the regeneration of liver cells and have a positive effect on fat metabolism. It is also effective in reducing urinary tract inflammation.

Beet can be used externally in a poultice, where it is valued for its soothing effect on the skin. It can be used to treat dry skin, cradle cap and other skin ailments.

Primary Actions: emollient, laxative

Parts Used: leaf

History / Folklore / Further Info

Beet is known as ‘poireé in French, and many towns in the North of the country have a street named ‘Rue à’ la Poireé’ which was historically the site of the vegetable market.

Herbie Says

The leaves are a favourite treat for my chook and duck friends! Why not grow a row along the outside of your chook pen and chuck in a few leaves every day! We also feed it to our bovine and equine friends but don’t give them too much, due to the high levels of oxalates, which can bind to calcium and potentially lead to kidney stones in susceptible animals.

Shipping Advice

N.B. Shipping costs are added AFTER you have placed your order, you will then be emailed an invoice with bank details.

Smallest box rate:
This can fit up to 9 plants in 9cm pots.

Shipping a single tree can be expensive. We may be able to fit more in the box for the same price! See our shipping rates for single and multi tree boxes.

Combining sizes?
No problem, we will work out the best rate for you once you’ve placed your order.

Medical disclaimer

Jo has a passion for growing herbs but is not a qualified herbalist and has no medical background.

We are lucky to have Patricia Beagle working here at times, who is qualified, and some of her advice does appear on these pages, but herbs act differently for different people and can interact with other medicines. We therefore always recommend that you consult with your own qualified health-care practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing or on any medications.

Kahikatea Farm cannot take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants or a plant not having the effect it is reputed to have.