Crop Rotation Group
Miscellaneous
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Soil
Any average, well drained soil.
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Position
Full sun to partial afternoon shade.
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Frost tolerant
Malabar spinach is a tropical plant that tolerates neither frost nor cold soil.
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Feeding
Mix in a balanced organic fertilizer when preparing the planting site.
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Companions
Malabar spinach is a vigorous climbing plant that needs a trellis or other support. It will quickly overtake other plants.
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Spacing
Single Plants: 11" (30cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 9" (25cm) with 1' 1" (35cm) row gap (minimum)
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Sow and Plant
Plant seeds in late spring, after the soil has warmed. In cool climates, you can give plants a two-week head start indoors. After the first season, look for volunteer seedlings and move them to where you want them to grow.
Our Garden Planning Tool can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
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Notes
Malabar spinach is highly ornamental, and is easily trained up a trellis. Some varieties have red stems. Malabar spinach is typically grown on a tower, fence or tepee style trellis. Four trellised plants will occupy a space 18 inches (45 cm) square at maturity.
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Harvesting
Clip leaves as you need them in the kitchen. When lightly steamed or stir-fried, the leaves resemble a cross between spinach and chard.
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Troubleshooting
In the fall, gather up dead plants and compost them to limit reseeding in the garden. In some climates, Malabar spinach can become weedy.
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