Growing New Zealand Spinach

New Zealand spinach is not related to common spinach. It is a large plant, with thick, succulent leaves and stems and grows with a branching, spreading habit to a height of 2 or more ft.(60 cm). It thrives in hot weather and is grown as a substitute in seasons when ordinary spinach cannot withstand the heat.

New Zealand spinach thrives on soils suitable for common spinach. Because of their larger size, these plants must have more room. The rows should be at least 3 ft.(1 m) apart, with the plants about 1 1/2 ft.(45 cm) apart in the rows. As prompt germination may be difficult, the seeds should be soaked for 1 to 2 hours in water at 120F (49 C) before being planted.

They may be sown, 1 to 1 1/2 in.(2.5 to 4 cm) deep, as soon as danger of frost is past. Successive harvests of the tips may be made from a single planting, as new leaves and branches are readily produced. Care must be taken not to remove too large a portion of the plant at one time.

Germination takes 1 or 2 weeks, depending upon weather. Keep soil moderately moist during germination. New Zealand spinach is a rather low germination rate seed.

Use as you would regular spinach. Approximately 70 days to maturity.