Good King Henry

Perennial spinach-like greens from Europe, closely related to lamb's quarters, quinoa, and epazote, and less sweet than spinach. Dark green, arrow-shaped leaves are eaten as a pot-herb, and the first shoots of the spring are eaten when pencil-thin similarly to asparagus. Also known as Lincolnshire Spinach and Fat Hen.

Days to maturity: 80

Seeds per pack: 75-85

Germination rate: 79% on 04/01/2024

Planting / harvesting notes

Seed benefits from stratification, which you could provide by sowing directly in your garden in December or January, by sowing in flats of potting soil outdoors in winter, or by keeping the seeds in the fridge for 8-10 weeks before sowing. That said, we did not do any of that our seed is germinating at 76% as of February 2019. Space plants 12-18".

Seed keeping notes

Good King Henry is wind pollinated. Seeds are ready when the seed head dries (after the flower dies back). You can cut the whole seed head and hang it to dry and mature further in a dry, ventilated place. Either way, shake the plant in a bucket to release the seeds. Use a strainer to sift out the larger chaff. Use your breath, wind, or fans to winnow off lighter weight chaff.

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