My red-veined spinach Rubino is still quite small, but the vibrant colors are very visible!

Spinach is by far my favorite leafy green in spring. Some varieties taste very similar, but there are differences too of course. I especially love finding a variety that stands out a little. For example with extra large leaves, or hardy cold-resistant varieties. Or varieties that don't bolt in warmer temperatures. I finally found an interesting new plant that I really enjoy. It's a red-veined spinach called Rubino!

Read more: How to grow baby spinach

This is not my first time trying a red spinach variety. But previous endeavours have so far been disappointing. I just didn't think that the red was very vibrant at all. If you google red spinach, then you will most likely find malabar spinach varieties as well as amaranth and red orache. These vegetables can of course be used for similar purposes as spinach, but I just don't think that any of them can compare to spinach flavor-wise. I'm really good at growing a lot of spinach early in the year too, so I'm not as interested in these other options at all.

So naturally, my expectations were low when I decided to order a bag of red-veined spinach in winter. But you have to give it a try, right? I broadcast-sowed spinach in a pot in winter while also making a little row in one of my beds. Both of these spots are located in my large polytunnel.

I'm going to use these red-veined spinach leaves for my sandwiches and salads.

The leaves look even more beautiful after watering.

The tiny little leaves started off with a very diluted pink/red color on the stalks. Most of the red tones I have been enjoying on other varieties have sooner or later faded away though. So I wasn't too hopeful about it. But then the red-veined spinach started growing and I kept watering these past few days that have been very warm. Now the color is getting more vibrant day by day. It's so beautiful!

Growing spinach - Tips

• if you want to harvest tiny leaves, sow them in tight rows
• add some more space between the plants if you want larger leaves
• be diligent about the watering, this will give you healthy leaves
• don't sow later than April, they might bolt if you do

Almost all of the spring leaves in my garden are green, so I'm really happy about having something different too.

Sowing spinach is easy. You just scatter the seeds and add a little soil on top. Don't do it later than April though, the plants might flower if you do.

More about spinach: Grow New Zealand spinach

Most of the leaves in my garden are green now in spring. That's why I feel so interested in leaves that are a bit different. For example, I just love the red-leaf beet variety Bull's Blood. And now I can add Rubino to the list too! The leaves are round, quite large and very tasty. It does however grow a bit slower than some of my other spinach varieties. But this red-veined spinach makes up for it with the lovely splash of color it brings to my garden!
/Sara Bäckmo