Herbs > Good King Henry Herb

Information on, uses of and how to grow good king henry:

Name
Chenopodium bonus henricus.

Family
Chenopodiaceae.

History
In ancient times this herb was also called Mercury or Wild Spinach.

Growing pattern
Annual.

Seeds
BuyGood King Henry Seeds from The Green Chronicle (Pay in £, $US, Euro).
Herbs, Seasonings, Seeds and Spices - Buy organic herbs and spices from Mountain Rose Herbs ($US).

How to grow
The seeds of Good King Henry can be sown outdoors in the late spring or early summer. Thin the seedlings to 45cm apart. The herb will often seed itself.

Soil condition/position
Good King Henry likes light, rich soil and is often found in the wild.

Appearance
Good King Henry grows to a height of 30cm. its leaves are arrow shaped and it tastes very much like spinach.

Uses
The leaves can be cooked as spinach and they can be eaten raw in salads. The young shoots are very good tied together in bundles and cooked and eaten like asparagus.


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Land For Food Production

Sat May 15, 2010 9:18 pm // 8 comments // granny_nuts


I wonder just how much land it would take to feed a family of, say, 4? I know that if my family didn't buy fruit and veg we wouldn't have enough to eat but is self sufficiency down to amount of land or method of growing? Last year I overcrowded my small veg plot with counter-productive results like mildew and snail infestation that went unnoticed until we came to pick the tomatoes (all holes!). I wonder if anyone has ever been totally self providing or whether the local market and barter played...