Spinach Annual Banjo

Spinach Banjo is an annual spinach, and thus a true spinach. This Italian variety has glossy green round leaves. Very good resistance to bolting makes Banjo well suited to Summer growing, it will also overwinter well in a polytunnel for nearly year round production. A great bunching variety.

Banjo responds well to repeat cutting making giving surprisingly large harvests from a relatively small space. Leaves can be eaten raw as baby leaf in salads, larger leaves can be steamed or included it quiches or lasagne as you would with annual spinach.

• Each seed pack contains 500 seeds approx.

Visit the GIY Veg directory for more growing details and tips.

Spinach will grow in most reasonable soil, though will grow better if the soil has compost and fertiliser added a week or two before sowing/transplanting.
Spinach can be sown direct or started in modules. However bolting, which is a major problem with spinach, is more likely with transplanted spinach.
Sow thinly 1-2cm deep in rows 25cm apart or 1 seed per module.

Thin the plants to 10cm apart.
Transplant module-grown plants 10cm apart in 25cm rows.
Never allow the soil to dry out as this can lead to bolting.

Spinach will be ready to harvest 8-10 weeks after sowing.
Spinach can be harvested by carefully removing individual leaves or cutting the whole plant 2-3 cm above soil level – it will sprout new leaves and you will be able to crop again in a few weeks.