Succeeds in full sun in any well-drained but not too fertile soil. Prefers a rich soil. Tolerates saline and very alkaline soils.

Young leaves - raw or cooked as a spinach substitute. A fairly bland flavor, a few leaves of stronger-flavored plants can be added to enhance the taste. Seed - ground and mixed with cornmeal or used to thicken soups etc. Small and very fiddly to harvest and use.

Seed - sow April/May in situ. Germination is usually rapid.

Waste and arable land near the coast, it is usually found on clays and heavy ground.