Guest post by Katrina & Clayton
Perennial spinach is particularly well suited to Scottish gardens, providing a consistent supply of fresh, nutrient rich leaves year after year with considerably less maintenance than annual spinach. Gardeners most often grow types such as spinach beet or leaf beet (Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla var. cicla), commonly known as perpetual spinach. As the name suggests, it can be harvested for much of the year, delivering an almost continuous crop. Although it is not a true spinach, being more closely related to chard and part of the beetroot family, it offers a similar flavour and culinary versatility. Unlike traditional spinach, it rarely bolts and with regular picking can remain productive for up to two years. It produces generous flushes of tender leaves across a long season and handles Scotland’s cool conditions and unpredictable weather far more reliably than standard spinach varieties.
Its biggest benefit compared to traditional spinach is its resistance to bolting. While true spinach often rushes to seed in warm or dry spells, perennial spinach remains steady and leafy, making it an exceptionally dependable and high yielding addition to any garden.
The primary edible part of perennial spinach is its large, glossy leaves, which can be harvested over many months. Leaves can be eaten raw when young, offering a mild flavour similar to spinach or cooked in soups, stews, curries and stir-fries. Older leaves are best cooked to improve texture.
The leaf stems are also edible and can be prepared similarly to chard stems, lightly steamed or sautéed. Regular harvesting ensures the best flavour and texture.
Growing Conditions and Soil for Perennial Spinach
Perennial spinach thrives in Scotland’s temperate climate. Unlike true spinach, which can bolt quickly in fluctuating temperatures, perpetual spinach tolerates cool Springs, mild Summers and even light frosts. It grows best in full sun to partial shade, making it adaptable to a range of garden settings. In particularly exposed areas, light shelter from strong winds helps prevent leaf damage.
Soil quality has a direct impact on leaf production. Perennial spinach prefers fertile, moisture retentive yet well drained soil. Rich loam with plenty of organic matter supports continuous leaf growth throughout the season. In Scotland, where heavy clay soils are common, incorporating compost or well-rotted manure improves both drainage and structure. While the plant tolerates a range of soil types, consistently waterlogged conditions should be avoided to prevent root problems.
Planting Times
In Scotland, perennial spinach can be sown or planted from early Spring (March or April) once the soil begins to warm. A second sowing in late Summer (July to August) can provide strong plants that overwinter and produce early leaves the following Spring. Young plants are hardy enough to tolerate light frosts once established.
Seeds can be sown directly into prepared soil in shallow drills about 2–3 cm deep. Space seedlings around 25–30 cm apart to allow for mature growth. Alternatively, seeds can be started in modules indoors and transplanted once they have developed several true leaves. Autumn planted crops benefit from a light mulch to protect roots during colder months.
All our Autumn grown plants are indoors at the moment in large pots in the kitchen so we don’t have to go outside. They’ll all be moved outside into the kitchen courtyard and more will be sown into raised beds for year round harvests. We will keep some grown in tubs to be brought inside for easy use in colder months.
Regular Harvesting
Regular harvesting acts as pruning for perennial spinach and is essential for maintaining tender growth. Begin harvesting outer leaves once plants are well established, always leaving the central crown intact to encourage continuous production. Frequent picking prevents leaves from becoming tough and reduces the likelihood of plants bolting.
At the end of Winter, cut away any damaged or yellowed leaves to make space for fresh Spring growth. This light seasonal tidy up keeps plants healthy and productive.
Caring for Perennial Spinach
Perennial spinach is relatively low maintenance but benefits from consistent care. Regular watering during dry spells is important, particularly in lighter soils. Mulching with compost like our nutrient rich Kelpie Compost, or leaf mould to help retain moisture, will suppress weeds and gradually improve soil fertility. In Scotland’s damp climate, ensure good spacing and airflow to reduce the risk of fungal issues.
Companion Planting for Perennial Spinach
Perennial spinach works well in mixed beds and permaculture systems. Its broad leaves provide light ground cover, helping suppress weeds and retain soil moisture. It grows particularly well alongside brassicas, onions, beetroot and carrots, which benefit from similar soil conditions.
Herbs such as chives and parsley make good companions, attracting beneficial insects while occupying different root zones. Avoid planting perennial spinach too close to crops that demand very dry conditions, as it prefers consistently moist soil. In food forests, it fits neatly into understory layers beneath fruit trees where partial shade is present.
Best Practices for Growing Perennial Spinach in Scotland
For best results, choose a sunny or lightly shaded site with improved, well drained soil. Sow in succession to ensure continuous harvests, and harvest regularly to keep growth tender. Apply annual mulches to maintain soil health and protect roots during colder months.
In exposed gardens, windbreaks or planting near protective structures can reduce leaf damage. Rotating planting areas every few years also helps reduce soil borne issues. By combining thoughtful soil preparation, steady harvesting and simple seasonal care, perennial spinach can remain productive for several years.
Its tolerance of cool temperatures, resistance to bolting and long harvesting season make it more reliable than traditional spinach in many parts of Scotland. Whether grown in raised beds, large pots or on your windowsill it provides nutritious greens with minimal effort.
Katrina & Clayton
Katrina & Clayton live with their family in East Ayrshire in Scotland and share their daily life in the garden on instagram @buildingfoodforest_scotland. They practice permaculture principles, reducing & repurposing waste whenever they can. Katrina shows how home educating in nature has helped Clayton thrive.
Clayton Completed The Grow and Learn Course with the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society in 2022. This year he will be completing Level 2 Nurture Course. Clayton is 16, Autistic, Non Verbal & has been Home Educated for the last 6yrs. Both Katrina and husband Peter have studied the Permaculture Design Course PDC and PDC Pro over the last 5yrs, developing their garden from grass to an ongoing food forest.
They have featured on BBC Beechgrove Gardens, Gardeners World Magazine and write for Scotland Grows Magazine. Katrina has a series of children’s story books out following the life of Clayton in the garden. Available at Amazon.
See more and follow Katrina & Clayton at the links below:
