Garden Orache

Garden Orache (Atriplex hortensis)

Garden orache, also known as Mountain Spinach or French Spinach, is a hardy, upright leafy green that has been cultivated for centuries. Available in striking green, gold, and deep red varieties, it adds both nutritional value and ornamental beauty to the garden. Its succulent leaves have a mild, salty flavor similar to spinach and are packed with Vitamin C, calcium, and magnesium.

Companion Planting:

Garden orache grows well near potatoes, onions, and cabbage. Because it can grow quite tall (up to 1.5 meters), it can provide a bit of welcomed shade for smaller, heat-sensitive greens like lettuce during the height of summer. Avoid planting it near tall corn, as both plants will compete for sunlight and vertical space.

Care Tips:

• Planting: Sow seeds in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. It thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade, which helps keep the leaves tender.

• Watering: Provide regular, even moisture to prevent the leaves from becoming tough or bitter. It is more drought-tolerant than traditional spinach but performs best with consistent water.

• Support: Generally, the sturdy, angular stalks do not need staking, but in very windy areas, the taller red varieties might benefit from a simple garden stake.

• Harvesting: Begin harvesting individual leaves when the plant is about 15–20 cm tall. For the best flavor, harvest the young, tender top leaves regularly to encourage bushy growth and delay flowering.

Fun Fact: The vibrant red and purple varieties of garden orache are often used by chefs as a natural food coloring and make a stunning, colorful addition to fresh summer salads!