New Zealand spinachTetragonia tetragonoides

New Zealand spinach

New Zealand spinach

1. Tetragonia expansa Murray
2. Demidovia tetragonoides Pall.
3. Tetragonia tetragonioides (Pall.) Kuntze
4. Tetragonia halimifolia G.Forst.

1. Warrigal greens
2. Botany Bay greens
3. Cook's cabbage
4. Sea spinach

1. Warrigal greens
2. Native spinach

1. Warrigal greens
2. Botany Bay greens

1. Cook's cabbage

1. New Zealand spinach

1. Tetragonia tetragonioides

1. NameSpinat

   Languagede

   Shared with

   1. Spinacia oleracea

   Clarification

   Not a true spinach, but a member of the fig-marigold family.

1. New Zealand spinach
2. Tetragonia tetragonoides
3. Warrigal greens

1. Angiosperms
2. Eudicots
3. Core eudicots

Fig-marigold family

1. Spinacia oleracea
2. Atriplex hortensis

1. Leaves
2. Shoot tips

New Zealand spinach is the ultimate summer green for hot climates. While true spinach bolts quickly in the heat, this trailing member of the fig-marigold family thrives as temperatures rise. It produces succulent, triangular leaves and forms a dense carpet, making it an excellent living mulch or underplanting for tomatoes and corn.

1. Tasksowing_indoor

   Label

   Indoor sowing

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 3
   2. 4

   Notes

   Sow seeds 1 cm deep.

1. Taskharvesting

   Label

   Main harvest

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 7
   2. 8
   3. 9

   Notes

   Regular cutting prevents flowering.

Full sun to partial shade

Not strictly necessary

Sandy loam, humus-rich

Regularly, do not let soil dry out completely

Compost or organic slow-release fertilizer

Ideal as a ground filler under tall crops like tomatoes or corn.

1. Peas
2. Beans
3. Early potatoes

1. Cabbage
2. Leeks
3. Onions

As it is not related to true spinach, it is a good alternative in tight crop rotations.

1. Sucking insects
2. Slugs

1. Fungal diseases (rare)

1. Sufficient spacing for good ventilation.
2. Water directly at the base.
3. Regular harvesting promotes vitality.

The plant is overall very robust against pests and diseases.

1. Slugfungal-leaf-spot

   Severitylow

   Conditions

   1. High humidity
   2. Dense planting

   Affected parts

   1. Old leaves

   Prevention

   1. Maintain spacing
   2. Thin out lower leaves

   Organic control

   1. Remove infected leaves
   2. Spray horsetail tea

1. Symptom

   Yellow leaves at the base

   Possible causes

   1. Nitrogen deficiency
   2. Natural aging
   3. Waterlogging

   First checks

   1. Check soil moisture
   2. Check fertilization status

1. Germination
2. Vegetative growth with heavy branching
3. Flowering in leaf axils
4. Maturation of four-winged capsule fruits

The plant has a trailing habit and continues to produce new side shoots throughout the summer.

July to September

Yellow-green

Inconspicuous solitary flowers in leaf axils

June to October

Cutting off the shoot tips (approx. 10-15 cm)

Regularly every 1-2 weeks

1. Shoots have reached a length of 10 cm
2. Leaves are succulent and deep green
3. Before seed sets (for best quality)

Use immediately or wrap in a damp cloth; wilts quickly.

In the refrigerator for 2-3 days

Blanching and freezing

Short-term storage (fresh vegetable)

Very short; loses crispness quickly.

1. Freezing
2. Canning (rarely)
3. Drying not recommended

Wash thoroughly, remove thick stems from older shoots.

1. Steaming
2. Blanching
3. Stir-frying

Mild, slightly acidic, similar to true spinach but more robust.

Substitute for spinach in all warm dishes; side dish for fish and meat.

1. Young leaves
2. Tender shoot tips

1. Tough, woody stems
2. Mature fruits (seed capsules)

Contains oxalic acid and saponins; blanching reduces the content.

Possible in small amounts, but blanching is recommended due to oxalic acid.

In autumn, collect the hard, brown seed capsules.

Further dry the capsules and store in a dry place; the entire fruit is sown.

No crossing with true spinach possible.

3-5 years when stored in cool, dry conditions.

New Zealand spinach is not a woody plant, but an annual herbaceous plant. Care focuses on pinching back shoot tips for harvest.

Inconspicuous flowers attract few insects, but the dense ground cover provides shelter for ground beetles.

Start indoor pre-culture and pre-soak seeds.

Main harvest time; ensure adequate water supply.

Collect seeds for next year before the frost arrives.