Spinach as Green Manure?

[Amazin]

Would you recommend it or not?

I've ordered the special offer brassicas from Dobies and will be getting free spinach seeds. Since I'm not allowed to eat a lot of it, I thought I could grow it anyway then dig it in.

[Amazin]

[wardy]

go on then, why can't you eat a lot of it? 

[Amazin]

Heart medication - spinach interferes, makes my blood too thin, so I can only eat small quantities. Same with broccoli, my all-time favourite green veg (sob! sob!).

[Roy Bham UK]

:o I wonder how many peeps with heart conditions know that? as I didn't :o and I'm growing tons of Broccoli and spinach :o Are there any more veggies we should be aware of? should I pack it in while I'm still here? ;D

Boo hoo! I've only just started eating spinach too :'(

[jennym]

I think the green leafy vegetable limitation applies to people who are taking Warfarin. However some studies show that the problem is not the the veg itself, its the way that people eat erratic quantities of it. many who are diagnosed and prescribed with Warfarin start eating loads of spinach, etc and upset the balance of their body functions. If you eat regular steady, sensible amounts, you should be OK. (I have a realtive who has been through this)

[Roy Bham UK]

;) Thanks Jenny, I'm not on Warfarin but do take 3 tablets a day to keep me afloat :( moderation the way to go ;D Mmm! that's going to be hard ::) ;D

[Amazin]

First of all, apologies for the misprint - my post should have read: spinach makes my blood too THICK.

Roy, it depends on the individual heart condition and the type of medication used.
The problem with foods such as spinach is their high levels of Vitamin K, a natural coagulant, which reduces the effects of anti-coagulant medication.

Jennym, people who are prescribed with Warfarin would (or should)  have been told about the dangers of ingesting too much Vitamin K (not just found in leafy green veg) and its effects on their medication.
As for eating regular steady, sensible amounts - what are those?
You could cut down on spinach intake, then find you've been eating a lot of coriander- which contains higher amounts of K than spinach (and even higher still amounts when cooked), so eating less overall of "High-K" foods would be considered sensible. In my own case, it's vital.
Today for instance, while pottering in the garden, I was helping myself to raw parsley (very High-K) every time I passed the herb bed. By the time I'd finished, I'd nibbled away a whole plant's worth. Couldn't help myself - I love it. Sadly, this means I'll have to avoid all the other High K goodies till my blood count settles down again.
I blame this act of stupidity on my medication, of course - my blood's too thin to reach my brain!

[Trenchboy]

Spinach is also a non starter for anyone who suffers from gout or pseudo-gout(no jest). The oxalic acid causes an explosion of the production by the body of uric acid, which then goes and crystallizes in whichever joint it fancies.

Rhubarb does the same thing.

Warfarin warning paperwork does not mention eating /not eating vitamin K. Will take this up with my docs next week.

[Amazin]

Trenchboy, depending on the severity of your condition/dosage of Warfarin, you may be considered low-risk, but it's still something you should be told about as it's common knowledge among cardio professionals.

By the way, it's also very difficult to find out exactly which foods contain Vitamin K. I remember asking a pharmacist for advice about a product and she replied "No, there's no bananas in that" - she mistook Vitamin K for 'mineral K': potassium.  ::)

[Georgie]

Would you recommend it or not?

I've ordered the special offer brassicas from Dobies and will be getting free spinach seeds. Since I'm not allowed to eat a lot of it, I thought I could grow it anyway then dig it in.

Bob Flowerdew says it is fine to use as green manure.

G xx

[jennym]

Jennym, people who are prescribed with Warfarin would (or should)  have been told about the dangers of ingesting too much Vitamin K (not just found in leafy green veg) and its effects on their medication.

Interesting... both my mum and mum-in-law (on Warfarin) have been told to avoid too much leafy green veg - spinach & broccoli were mentioned - and that's it! No other info at all. Frightening.

[Amazin]

Once again cheers Georgie, though I'm not sure I should be so grateful - YOUR Peruviana practically bit my hand off when I went to feed them yesterday. They're doing great - hope your capes are doing well too.

Jennym, hope I haven't started a scare or anything. But you're right, it IS frightening.
On the subject of shovelling the greens, I think people with heart problems are often advised to change to a healthier diet - and quite rightly so - but for most people, that would automatically mean upping their fruit & veg intake. However, the Vit K info should always be given as part of the nutritional advice.
For a list of foodstuffs and their Vit K contents go to:

http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/SR17/wtrank/sr17a430.pdf

[the_snail]

If you cannot grow it to eat why not ask one of you neighbours on your site if they would like to have ago at growing some? You may get a swap :) Never dig in good food. Think trade first.

The_Snail

[Georgie]

You're welcome Amazin' and LOL!  I posted a pic of my Cape Gooseberries a while back, take a peep.  :)

http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/yabbse/index.php/topic,11881.0.html

G xx

[Amazin]

They look great, G, mine are flowering and have some very teeny-weeny fruits on them. I'm convinced it's all this dull weather we're having that's slowing everything down.

SexySnail, I've only got a garden and plan to get the spinach into every available space in the borders when my main veg are done. I'll eat some, freeze some and feed the neighbourhood with loads, but I'm betting I'll still have tons left!
No-one round my way has an allotment and most of my neighbours only grow tomato plants - most of which have been provided by yours truly (along with peppers, chillies and... er... verbena!)