Orach, Atriplex hortensis, is cooked and eaten in the same manner as spinach, to which it is much preferred by many persons, although it belongs to a tribe whose wholesomeness is very suspicious.

Soil And Situation

It flourishes best in a rich moist soil, and in an open compartment. Those, however, of the autumn sowing require a rather drier soil.

Sowing

It may be sown about the end of September, and again in the spring for succession. The sowing to be performed in drills six inches apart. The plants soon make their appearance, being of quick growth. When they are about an inch high, they must be thinned to six inches asunder, and those removed may be planted out at the same distance in a similar situation, and watered occasionally until established. At the time of thinning, the bed must be thoroughly cleared of weeds, and if they are again hoed during a dry day, when the plants are about four inches high, they will require no further attendance than an occasional weeding. For early production, a sowing may be in a moderate hot-bed at the same time as those in the natural ground. The leaves must be gathered for use whilst young, otherwise they become stringy and worthless.

To Save Seed

Some plants of the spring sowing must be left ungathered from, and thinned to about eight inches apart. The seeds ripen about the end of August, when the plants must be pulled up, and when perfectly dry rubbed out for use.