Blitum bonus-henricus, Good King Henry, 50 seeds, 2023 Stock

Description: Overview This listing is for 50 seeds of the plant species Blitum bonus-henricus (formerly Chenopodium bonus-henricus), commonly known as Good King Henry, Lincolnshire spinach, fat hen, goosefoot, English mercury, and/or poor man's asparagus. My seeds are collected from 100% organically grown plants, meaning they are grown without the use/application of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides. Basic Growing Information Category: Perennial, edible Water Requirements: Low to average Sun Exposure: Full sun; Partial shade Soil Type: Grows in soils ranging from average to nutrient-rich Maximum Height: 18 to 36 inches (46 cm to 61 cm) Plant Spacing: 12 to 14 inches (30 cm to 36 cm) Hardiness: USDA Zone 3 to Zone 9 (range of -40° F to 30° F / -40° C to -1° C) Stratification/Scarification: Not necessary Seed Planting Depth: 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) Germination Time: 14 days to 80 days Bloom Time: Spring, Summer, Fall Propagation: Seeds, cuttings, root division (not recommended) Detailed Information Good King Henry is an herbaceous perennial plant with edible leaves and seeds. It is most used as a substitute for spinach, having leaves with a similar taste, texture and color, although several other parts of the plant are also edible. Plants can be covered in early spring to encourage the tender shoots to grow upwards to 5 inches (13 cm), then cut, peeled and cooked for a dish similar to asparagus. The seeds can also be harvested and cooked as a grain, although some preparation is required to remove the natural saponin (soap-like substance) covering the fresh seeds. This plant is a relatively easy species to grow, needing modest soil, light and water requirements. GKH is one of the first plants to emerge in the spring and one of the last to disappear in the fall. In mild climate regions, it may even persist into the winter, although its growth will slow considerably. The plant will grow best in nutrient-dense soil with very light shade and average water, but it can tolerate low-nutrient soils and light intensity ranging from full sun to partial shade. Unfortunately, GKH is unlikely to grow in deep shade. Once established, it will grow adequately without additional irrigation in all but the driest regions. There are multiple ways to start Good King Henry from seed. The easiest way to germinate the seeds and establish plants is to sow seeds in a container of quality potting soil in the early winter, water the container thoroughly, cover the container with clear plastic wrap or a clear lid secured with a rubber band, then set the container in a sunny area outdoors. Monitor the container periodically (once a week) until tiny seedlings can be observed growing in the container. This will usually happen a couple of weeks before the end of winter in zone 7, although it will vary depending on your location. Once the seedlings begin to grow, you can remove the lid to allow them better circulation and regular watering. The seedlings will develop into full-sized plants if left in the container, although they will develop faster and grow larger if transplanted into the ground after the seedlings develop two or more sets of "true" leaves. Alternatively, Good King Henry seeds can be germinated any time by putting the seeds on damp paper towel, folded in half to cover the top of the seeds. Then place the damp, folded paper towel in a plastic container for a week in a refrigerator. After a week, take the container out and allow it to sit in a room-temperature environment. Keep the paper towel consistently damp--do not allow it to dry out. Open the container after two to three days and check the seeds for germination. You may see a few seeds sprouting leaves/roots, which may be carefully placed in a container of soil outdoors or under a grow light. If not, return the container to the refrigerator for another week and repeat the process. Stratifying the seeds may encourage germination, but is not necessary, in my experience. This method is the fastest way to germinate the seeds, although it will require more attention from the grower than the aforementioned method described in the paragraph above. Good King Henry can be harvested at any time, although most growers recommend allowing the plant to grow for a full year before harvesting. Fresh leaves should be eaten sparingly, as they contain a high amount of oxalates. Cooking the leaves will destroy the oxalates, making larger amount of plant material safe to consume. Additional Information Because of the extremely light weight of the Good King Henry seeds, your order will be sent in a standard envelope with first-class postage. Your order will arrive within 7-10 days after your purchase. Please be aware that single-item packets WILL NOT include a tracking number for this specific product. Please be patient and your order will arrive shortly. If your order does not arrive within the 7-10 days after purchasing, please contact me directly through eBay so the issue can be resolved. This policy allows me to offer the lowest possible price, including free shipping, without sacrificing product quality. If you order two or more packets of this product or any other of my seed products, I will combine all shipping costs and include a tracking number with the order. You can buy with confidence in my products, as I am a fully licensed seed dealer of North Carolina (issued by the N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, 2022 - 2024). As a resident of North Carolina, under current NC law, I am also required to charge 7% sales tax on all purchases. Thank you for looking at my listing!

Price: 5.49 USD

Location: Asheville, North Carolina

End Time: 2024-02-19T15:53:30.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD