This perennial spinach substitute has been grown since before the Revolution. A staple of the door-yard gardens at Sturbridge Village. Seeds are large and slow to germinate, so be patient. New Zealand Spinach is properly known as tetragone. The flavor is quite similar to real spinach.

15 seeds

PLANTING

Tetragonia tetragonoides

Perennial:Zone8-11

Germination:14-21 days, scarfying or soaking seeds overnight aids germination

Germination Temperature:Optimum soil temperatures 65-75F

Seed Sowing Depth:1/2″ deep

Sowing Indoors:3-4weeks before last frost. Provide65-75Fsoil temperature.Sow 2-3 seeds per cell/pot.Transplantafter last frost,12-24″ apart.

Sowing Outdoors:Sow after last frost when soiltemperature reaches 70F. Sow a few seeds every 12″ apart.

Harvest:Cut young leaves and tips, use like spinach. This will also encourage new growth.

Tips:Plant New Zealand Spinach in average, well drained soil.Amend with compost or well-rotted manure. For the tenderest leaves, do not let the soil dry out. Spreading habit.