Good King Henry
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A perennial relative of spinach, lambs-quarters, and chard. One of the first cooking greens of spring and one of the last of fall . Like other leafy perennials in that it emerges in very early spring, before seedlings are ready to eat. Mild in flavor, very similar to lambs-quarters, with the same silvery underside to the leaf, but the leaves are larger and the plant grows in large clumps. The shoots are eaten like asparagus, and the leaves are eaten like spinach. See cultural information below. Seed in short supply this year. 40 seeds.
Prefers rich soil in a semi-shady areas. (Full sun in cool-summer climates only). Stratify seeds either by planting in pots outdoors in winter or very early spring, or by mixing the seeds with damp soil or sand, and refrigerating for 2 weeks before planting. Fluctuation of high and low temperatures aids germination, so keep the pots outdoors. Once established the plants don’t like transplanting. Requires a year of growth before plants can be harvested. Be patient and you will have a bed that lasts for decades.
Named not for a historical king, but for a leprechaun-like garden spirit, haganrich (literally ‘king of the hedge,’ a gremlin with goose’s feet that helps around the house and puts things where they belong. Ancient plant used in festive meals, in meat dishes and as a side dish, very popular in Europe before it was supplanted by spinach. Also known by several other names: Lincolnshire Spinach, Mercury, and Fat Hen (Chickens adore both the nutritious leaves and the oil-rich seeds.) Handsome groundcover for shade, with arrowhead leaves.
Named not for a historical king, but for a leprechaun-like garden spirit, haganrich (literally ‘king of the hedge,’ a gremlin with goose’s feet that helps around the house and puts things where they belong. Ancient plant used in festive meals, in meat dishes and as a side dish, very popular in Europe before it was supplanted by spinach. Also known by several other names: Lincolnshire Spinach, Mercury, and Fat Hen (Chickens adore both the nutritious leaves and the oil-rich seeds.) Handsome groundcover for shade, with arrowhead leaves.