Growing New Zealand Spinach: A Guide to Adding a Nutritious Leafy Green to Your Garden

If you're looking for a tasty and nutritious leafy green to add to your garden, you might want to consider growing New Zealand spinach. Despite its name, New Zealand spinach is actually native to South America, but it's been cultivated in New Zealand since the early 1800s. This leafy green has gained popularity in recent years due to its high nutritional value and versatility in cooking.

What is New Zealand Spinach?

New Zealand spinach (Tetragonia tetragonioides) is a leafy green plant that grows in a sprawling fashion, similar to a ground cover. Its leaves are thick and slightly succulent, with a texture that's similar to spinach. However, unlike traditional spinach, New Zealand spinach thrives in hot weather and does not bolt when temperatures rise.

A mature New Zealand spinach plant growing in a garden bed.

Why Should You Grow New Zealand Spinach?

There are many reasons why you should consider growing New Zealand spinach in your garden:

• Nutritional Value: New Zealand spinach is loaded with nutrients such as vitamins A, B6, C, and K, calcium, iron, and potassium.
• Tolerates Hot Weather: Unlike traditional spinach, New Zealand spinach thrives in hot weather and is perfect for gardens in warmer climates.
• Low Maintenance: New Zealand spinach is easy to grow and relatively low maintenance compared to other leafy greens.
• Versatile in Cooking: New Zealand spinach can be eaten raw in salads or cooked in a variety of dishes.

How to Grow New Zealand Spinach

Growing New Zealand spinach is relatively easy, and it can be grown in a variety of settings. Here are some tips to get started:

Planting New Zealand Spinach Seeds

New Zealand spinach seeds can be planted directly into a garden bed in the spring, after the last frost has passed. Plant the seeds about 12 inches apart, and cover them with a thin layer of soil. Keep the soil moist until the seedlings emerge, which should take about 7-10 days.

A handful of New Zealand spinach seeds.

Caring for New Zealand Spinach Plants

Once your New Zealand spinach plants have emerged, they require minimal care. Here are some tips to keep them healthy and thriving:

• Water: New Zealand spinach requires consistent watering to thrive. Water the plants deeply once per week, or more frequently if the weather is particularly hot and dry.
• Fertilizer: New Zealand spinach plants do not require heavy fertilization. A light application of a balanced fertilizer during the growing season should suffice.
• Pruning: New Zealand spinach plants can become quite large and sprawling. To keep them under control, trim back any excess growth regularly.

Harvesting New Zealand Spinach

New Zealand spinach can be harvested once the plants have reached maturity, which typically takes about 60-70 days from planting. The leaves can be picked as needed, or you can harvest the entire plant at once.

A basket full of freshly harvested New Zealand spinach leaves.

Using New Zealand Spinach in Cooking

New Zealand spinach is incredibly versatile in cooking and can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Salads: Chop up New Zealand spinach leaves and add them to a salad for a nutrient-packed, flavorful addition.
• Stir-Fries: New Zealand spinach works well in stir-fry dishes, adding a unique flavor and texture to the dish.
• Soups and Stews: Add New Zealand spinach leaves to soups and stews for an added nutritional boost.
• Smoothies: Blend New Zealand spinach leaves with fruits and other vegetables for a nutrient-dense smoothie.

If you're looking for a low-maintenance, nutritious leafy green to add to your garden, consider growing New Zealand spinach. With its high nutritional value, tolerance for hot weather, and versatility in cooking, it's a great addition to any garden or plate.

New Zealand spinach, leafy greens, gardening, vegetable gardening, nutrition, cooking