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Growing NZ Spinach, also Warrigal greens

(Tetragonia expansa)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
            P P P      

(Best months for planting NZ Spinach in Australia - tropical regions)


  • Harvest in 60-70 days
  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed.
  • Best planted at soil temperatures between 18°C and 35°C.
  • Space plants: 45-60cm

NZ spinach has green, triangulated leaves and a spreading habit.

This is a coastal plant which natively grows on dune edges. It survives salt-spray in coastal gardens. It tolerates light frost.

It can withstand hot, dry summer weather when real spinach tends to die off. Will self-sow and become widespread.

Soak seeds for one or two hours before sowing as the outer skin is hard.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating NZ Spinach

Pick the growing tips at about 8-10cm (4-6 in).
Can be used as a substitute for real spinach in cooking.

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See planting calendar for these countries and climate zones

Australia - cool/mountain,   Australia - sub-tropical,   Australia - temperate,   Australia - tropical,   New Zealand - cool/mountain,   New Zealand - sub-tropical,   New Zealand - temperate,   United Kingdom - temperate/cool,   United Kingdom - temperate/warm  

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.

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