Spinach

Originating from the temperate regions of Eurasia , Verdil spinach has become a staple in vegetable gardens , for both amateur and professional gardeners. It is prized for its supple, deep green leaves , its mild and delicate flavor , and its natural resistance to cold , making it a choice leafy vegetable as soon as the first frosts arrive .

In the garden, Verdil is a generous and fast-growing plant , perfectly suited to cool climates like that of Quebec . Its low, dense growth habit effectively covers the ground, limiting weeds while promoting biodiversity . Its easy cultivation, requiring no special care, makes it a reliable ally for gardeners seeking simplicity and productivity .

Strawberry spinach is a cool-climate annual that thrives in rich, moist, well-drained soil . It can be sown directly in May or August , and the leaf harvest begins about two months later , continuing throughout the season.

From late spring onwards, thin stems that can reach 1 meter bear discreet green flowers , which then transform into edible, decorative and slightly juicy red pseudo-fruits from July to October .

It grows best in full sun , but in warmer climates, partial shade and a good layer of mulch are recommended to prevent water stress. It's ideal for filling gaps in the garden with an edible and unique touch.

Native to the tropical regions of South Asia and India , Malabar spinach , also known as purple basella , is a perennial climbing plant cultivated as an annual in our latitudes. Once a staple in tropical vegetable gardens, it has now become a popular choice for kitchen gardens worldwide thanks to its elegant shape , vigorous growth , and glossy, purple-tinged leaves .

In the garden, it grows quickly and climbs enthusiastically on trellises, fences, or vertical supports , forming truly productive vines . It tolerates summer heat admirably and provides a continuous harvest of fleshy, slightly mucilaginous leaves , perfect raw in salads or cooked like spinach . In hot, humid climates, it is a valuable plant for summer crops , where regular spinach struggles to grow.

Giant Winter spinach is a hardy variety known for its high cold tolerance and ability to produce early in spring. It forms large, thick, dark green leaves with a fleshy texture and mild taste, particularly appreciated after cool periods.

Designed for late-season cultivation, this spinach slowly develops its rosette before winter, then resumes vigorous growth as soon as conditions improve. This strategy allows it to offer early harvests at a time when few other leafy vegetables are available.

In the garden, Giant Winter thrives in rich, well-drained soil that is kept consistently moist. It adapts very well to late summer or early autumn sowing, as well as to protected cultivation. Its slow but steady growth promotes thick, well-structured leaves that are less prone to bolting than summer varieties.

Caucasian climbing spinach, Hablitzia tamnoides , is a perennial native to the cool, rocky undergrowth of the Caucasus. Long cultivated as a hardy leafy vegetable in mountain gardens, it naturally finds its place in ecological gardens where the aim is to combine edible abundance with sustainable ground cover.

In the garden, this plant forms a perennial clump from which, in spring, long climbing stems emerge, clinging to a trellis or spreading over a support. Its tender green, elongated heart-shaped leaves offer edible young shoots reminiscent of spinach. In a partially shaded corner, at the foot of a fence or shrub, it creates a discreet yet faithful presence, participating in the garden's cycle by returning each year from its well-established root system.

Thanks to its ability to vertically occupy space in cooler areas, it contributes to a harmonious garden where plant layers complement each other. It's a reliable plant for anyone wishing to create a vibrant and diverse garden, requiring careful cultivation and offering excellent consistency throughout the seasons.

Akarenso spinach is immediately distinguished by the depth of its color. Its smooth leaves, ranging from burgundy red to dark purple, bring a rare visual intensity to the vegetable garden. From the first cool days of spring or at the end of summer, it attracts the eye and promises a season of nuanced beauty.

Originating in Japan, Akarenso is a traditional variety prized for its colorful foliage and mild flavor. Unlike some hardier spinach varieties, it has a more delicate temperament. Its full potential is realized when conditions are stable and well-controlled.

In the field, our trials have revealed that Akarenso performs best when grown in containers . This method allows for finer control of soil moisture, a key factor for this variety. In tubs or pots, it develops more uniform foliage, more intense color, and consistent growth, sometimes offering surprising results in both appearance and taste.

In open ground, when climatic conditions become variable—alternating rain, drought, or unstable temperatures— Akarenso can be more temperamental. Less robust than other spinach varieties, it then struggles to fully express its distinctive characteristics, both in vigor and color. This is not a weakness in itself, but rather an indication of a sensitive plant that requires an environment consistent with its nature.

Cultivating Akarenso therefore means accepting a more attentive relationship. In return, when offered controlled conditions and living soil, it reveals remarkable beauty and gentleness, transforming a simple container into a true botanical jewel.