Garden-fresh greens are vitamin powerhouses. Here's how to grow bok choy, silver beet and spinach.

Spinach (shown above)
(Spinacea oleracea)

Climate
Temperate and cool-temperate climates are best, but spinach can also grow in the cooler parts of humid and dry subtropical climates and semi-arid areas.

Planting
Sow seed thinly into cool soil previously enriched with rotted organic matter. Sow a 2m-long row every three weeks for a constant supply. Do this from early autumn to midwinter. In the colder parts of cool-temperate zones, sow from early spring to early summer and from late summer to mid-autumn. Spinach grows well when planted in containers.

Growing
Keep moist and feed plants fortnightly with high-nitrogen soluble fertiliser. Mulch around plants with straw to keep the area clean and remove weeds. Can be susceptible to fungus diseases in rainy or humid weather. To harvest, pull whole plants or remove the outer leaves. The harvesting season is short.

Bok choy (Pak choy, Chinese chard)
(Brassicarapa)

Bok choy can be ready for harvest in six weeks.

Climate
Grown as a seasonal vegetable.

Planting
Grow in a raised bed. Dig in plenty of organic matter and dress the soil lightly with lime. Space plants 20-30cm apart.

Growing
Fast-growing, bok choy does best in spring or autumn. It's essential to keep soil moist and control weeds. In ideal conditions, plants can be ready for harvest in six weeks.

Silver beet
(Beta vulgaris var. cicla)

Pick outer leaves of silver beet when you want to eat them.

Climate
Grows in all zones.

Planting
Sow seeds 35cm apart. Plant into soil enriched with rotted manure and one handful of high-nitrogen complete plant food per square metre. Sow any time except in the heat of summer or when frosts are worst. About five plants are plenty. For year-round supplies, plant a batch in spring and another in autumn. Silver beet grow well when planted in large containers.

Growing
Keep watered and give high-nitrogen soluble fertiliser every four to six weeks (not in winter if frosty). Aphids and leaf miners may distort or disfigure leaves and should be treated promptly. To harvest, pick the outer leaves as needed. Don't strip the whole plant.

Source: Gardening: A Commonsense Guide (Murdoch Books)