Good Heinrich is a forgotten crop. Is it worth planting Good Henry again these days?
The Good Henry (Chenopodium bonus-henricus), which used to be a popular crop, is rarely found today. As he makes his way back to our gardens, we show you what to look out for when planting, caring for and using this diverse plant.
Good Heinrich: origin and characteristics
Good Heinrich, also known as wild spinach or perennial goosefoot, is a plant of the foxtail family (Amaranthaceae). It occurs both cultivated and in the wild. The good Heinrich originally comes from the Alps, but is now widespread throughout Europe and can even be found in North America. Through the cultivation of improved spinach varieties (Spinacea oleracea), good Heinrich was more and more forgotten. The other cultures pushed the wild spinach to the side of the road. He is now considered endangered in many places, because the intensive maintenance of green areas by lawn mowing and the sealing of areas threaten the good Heinrich.
By the way: So far no new varieties of Good Heinrich have been spotted. Therefore, only one species can be acquired and grown in the garden.
The Good Heinrich is, unlike the annual spinach, a perennial plant that can reach a height of about 75 cm. Wild spinach has a long unbranched stalk with fleshy arrow-shaped leaves that are velvety floured underneath and have a turnip-like root. The flowers are in small clusters, about 5 mm thick, which appear pink or yellowish. The panicle-like inflorescences are similar to those of spinach and bloom from May to July. The seeds ripen from June to August.
Risk of confusion with Good Heinrich:
The Good Heinrich can be confused with the spotted arum (Arum maculatum), which is a very poisonous wild plant. They are very similar in leaves, but those of the aroid are smooth and shiny. In additionthey differ in the flower: while the good Heinrich has greenish panicle-like flower clusters, the arum has large individual flowers with a sepal.
Planting Good Heinrich: Location, Sowing and Co.
The Good Heinrich plant is not particularly demanding when it comes to its location. It can thrive in sandy and heavy loamy soil, but prefers a fertile, fresh to moist, humus-rich subsoil. Good Heinrich also likes a sunny to semi-shady place. For a better harvest quality, the plant should be in partial shade. The perennials can grow in the same location for at least three to five years, after which time the growth often decreases and you can harvest less and less wild spinach. You can also grow the plant in a pot on the balcony. Make sure you use high-quality, peat-free and nutrient-rich soil such as our Plantura organic compost soil. Also remember to water regularly when growing in pots.
In early spring you can sow Good Heinrich directly or pre-cultivate in a cold frame. Germination will be better if you store the seeds in the fridge for a few weeks beforehand. You can also sow the seeds outdoors from August to October or sow them in pots - then simply leave the containers outside, where germination will take place naturally. Be sure to use nutrient-poor seed soil. It stimulates the seedling to develop strong roots. In addition, a high nutrient content can be harmful to young plants. Our Plantura organic herb and seed soil is recommended for this: In contrast to most other seed soil, our soil is peat-free.
The right care
The wild spinach is a very easy to care for plant that tolerates even neglect and successfully establishes itself in most soils and locations. There are also no known pests that damage Good Heinrich too much. Since the good Heinrich originally comes from the Alps, it is also resistant to very low temperatures. However, if your substrate is depleted and does not contain enough organic matter, it is advisable to prepare the soil before planting. A high-quality potting soil or an organic complete fertilizer is suitable for this. In winter you can cover the plant with leaves, so it will sprout earlier in spring.
Is Good Henry poisonous or edible?
All parts of the plant are edible, even our pets such as dogs and cats tolerate the plant. Good Henry contains some oxalic acid, but cooking reduces it. Those who are prone to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should generally be careful with foods containing oxalic acid.
However, Good Heinrich is poisonous to fish. Traditionally, hunters used it to stun fish by placing large quantities of Good Henry in streams and lakes.
Harvesting and Use of Wild Spinach
The taste is similar to that of spinach and becomes more and more bitter as the season progresses. All parts of the plant are edible and are high in iron and vitamin C. The leaves can be boiled, steamed, or eaten raw in small amounts in salads. If you wrap the harvested plant in a damp cloth, Good Heinrich can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days. The young shoots and stalks can be plucked before they become hollow and eaten stewed or boiled like asparagus, while the flower buds are fried in butter, for example. The seeds can be dried and made into flour, but should be soaked in water overnight to remove the saponins.
The plant contains interesting ingredients that could be useful for the development of new medicines, such as liver-protective or antioxidant agents. However, there are significantly better medicinal plants and Good Heinrich only plays a minor role.
The leaves of Good Henry were occasionally used in the Middle Ages and early modern times against chronic wounds, ulcers and abscesses. Internally, the plant was used against worm infections and as a gentle laxative.
It is definitely worth reintroducing Good Heinrich and other old forgotten crops such as chervil beets in our gardens and giving them a place in our hearts.