New Zealand spinach
Tetragonia tetragonioide
- Position: full sun to partial shade
- Soil: fertile, well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: average
- Hardiness: half-hardy annual
A warm season perennial grown as an annual in cooler (UK) climates. With fleshy, brittle arrow-shaped rich green leaves, similar in appearance to spinach although milder in taste. Its botanical name is fulsome…Tetragonia tetragonioides and all the vitamin-stuffed goodness is wholesome. Pop it in your blender or stir-fry with garlic and chilli for a nutri-blast! - Growing instructions: Prior to sowing in late May, soak the seeds for 12 hours in cold water. Sow directly into a seedbed with plenty of added compost. Sow into 10mm deep drills, 15cm spacing, 30cm apart and cover with soil. Germination 10-20 days. Can be started 2-3 weeks before last frost under glass or fleece mini-tunnel for later transplanting.
- Sow: May to July
- Harvest: July to October