winter purslaneClaytonia perfoliata

winter purslane

winter purslanes

1. miner's lettuce
2. Cuban spinach
3. spring beauty

1. miner's lettuce
2. Cuban spinach

1. winter purslane
2. miner's lettuce

Montiaceae

1. leaves
2. stems

Claytonia (Winter Purslane)

Claytonia

Claytonia, also known as winter purslane or miner's lettuce, is a hardy winter leafy green providing fresh, succulent leaves from October to March.

1. Taskharvest

   Label

   Harvest

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 1

   Conditionfrost-free

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Harvest during frost-free weather.

1. Taskharvest

   Label

   Final harvest

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 2

   Conditionbefore hard frost

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Bring in before hard frost.

1. Taskcleanup

   Label

   Finish harvest

   Prioritylow

   Months

   1. 3

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Plants will soon flower and become bitter.

1. Tasksow

   Label

   Direct sow

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 8

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Sow for winter harvest.

1. Tasksow

   Label

   Final direct sow

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 9

   Conditionbefore mid-September

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Sow until mid-September.

1. Taskharvest

   Label

   Start harvest

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 10

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Once leaves are large enough.

1. Taskharvest

   Label

   Harvest

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 11

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Young leaves are most tender.

1. Taskharvest

   Label

   Harvest in mild winter

   Prioritylow

   Months

   1. 12

   Conditionmild winter

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Continue if weather is mild.

Partial shade to full sun

Southeast to West

Sheltered position preferred

Thrives especially in cool, moist locations.

Loamy-sandy

Rich in humus

Well-drained

Prefers loose, nutrient-rich soil. Improve heavy soils with sand or compost.

Regular but moderate

3

1. Germination
2. Young plant stage

Bottom watering

During frost, water only on frost-free days.

Consistent moisture keeps leaves tender. Avoid waterlogging.

Light compost application in autumn before sowing.

No additional fertilizing needed.

Claytonia is a light feeder. Over-fertilizing leads to soft, susceptible growth.

Can be sown as a fall catch crop after potatoes or beans. Also ideal for intercropping with onions or cabbage.

Leaf vegetable - light feeder

Potatoes, beans, peas, cabbage

Onions, leeks, carrots

Claytonia is a light feeder. A simple rotation with heavy and medium feeders is recommended.

Nutrient deficiencies are unusual in Claytonia. Paleness may indicate nitrogen deficiency but is rare.

1. Name

   Waterlogging

   Description

   Leads to root rot and yellow leaves.

   Solution

   Ensure good drainage, avoid waterlogging.

2. Name

   Slug damage

   Description

   Young leaves are occasionally eaten by slugs.

   Solution

   Use slug pellets or hand-picking during wet periods.

1. Aphids (rare)

1. Downy mildew (rare)
2. Rot in waterlogged conditions

1. Ensure good drainage
2. Dense sowing promotes ground cover and suppresses weeds
3. Avoid over-fertilizing

Claytonia is very robust. Problems occur almost only with waterlogging or extreme drought.

1. Symptom

   Yellow leaves

   Possible causes

   1. Staunässe
   2. Nährstoffmangel (selten)

   First checks

   1. Check soil moisture
   2. Check drainage

With Claytonia, problems are hardly expected. The most important diagnosis is checking for waterlogging.

1. Germination
2. Leaf development
3. Rosette growth
4. Flowering
5. Seed ripening

Claytonia germinates within 7–14 days and quickly forms a dense rosette. Flowering occurs in early spring, from March/April. Plants die back after flowering.

Multiple harvests possible, every 2–4 weeks, depending on growth rate.

1. Leaves have reached 5–10 cm in length
2. Leaves are deep green and crisp

Store harvested leaves immediately in a cool place, protect from direct sunlight. Wash only just before use.

Short-term storage

3–5 days in refrigerator

1. Raw consumption
2. Quickly sautéed
3. In salads
4. As pesto
5. Drying (for herb salt)

1. Leaves
2. Stems

1. Flower stems (may be bitter) on older plants
2. Seeds (not recommended)

Claytonia is non-toxic and safe for human consumption. In large quantities, oxalic acid may cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals.

Yes, safe to eat raw. Wash thoroughly before consuming.

Claytonia is an annual leafy vegetable with no woody structure. It is not pruned or trained.

Provides an early nectar source for insects in early spring.

Sow Claytonia directly in the bed from August – no need for pre-cultivation.

Harvest leaves individually as needed to keep the plant productive longer.