Allotments 4 All

I planted some Leaf Beet 'Perpetual Spinach' last year which grew well. I've been away from the allotment for a while and am only just sorting it out again this year but the Spinach has now grown to over a meter tall. Is this still usable as it is? If I trimmed it down would it regrow with some fresh leaves? Or am I best to just dig it up?

Thanks

Simon

If your perpetual spinach is that tall I would think it has now run to seed. Although perpetual spinach will survive over most winters and during the summer you can 'cut and come again' it I think it's best sown again each year. I think the leaves taste better when grown fresh each year.

Duke

Yes, those are the flowering spikes. The leaves are still edible (particularly the ones on the flower stalk) but the quality definitely drops. I start the new crop as early as possible so that it follows on. Disaster this year, about two plants have come up when it's normally 90%+ success rate ...