Q.Overwintered Spinach, Is It Safe To Eat From Fresh Leaves?
Hi all, I am in zone 5b, Eastern US. I have some spinach and lettuce which I left in over the winter. Well, Here it is in the spring now and the leaves are still green and many of them look as though you could pick & eat them. My question: Is it safe to eat spinach and lettuce from overwintered plants if the leaves are healthy and green? I’m presuming it probably is, but then again, it when through solid freeze spells multiple times. But the leaves are still green and fresh looking? Thanks,
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
I wouldn't eat the leaves that sat over winter but if it is producing new leaves, it should be Ok to eat those. Some cultivars are more winter hardy than others and will start producing again in spring from fall-planted produce.
https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/spinach
https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/lettuce
