Spinach – New Zealand Everbearing

Description

25 Seeds per pack

(a.k.a. Everlasting, Tetragone, Della Nuova Zelanda, Perpetual Spinach, Sea Spinach) (Tetragonia tetragonioides) 50-70 days       A very old heirloom introduced into England in 1772 by Sir Joseph Banks; reported to have been discovered during the South Seas expedition of Captain Cook. New Zealand Spinach is not a true spinach, but is similar in flavor and use, in fact some prefer it to regular spinach. This variety is a perennial, but is typically grown as a warm-weather annual. Large, strong, spreading plants branch out, sprawling freely, producing small, brittle, fleshy, deep-green leaves. New Zealand Spinach is a warm season vegetable that grows well in hot weather and dry conditions. Most true spinach goes to seed and becomes bitter during warm summer months, however this great heirloom variety will not. New Zealand Spinach will not bolt (go to seed prematurely), or get bitter. Use the same as your regular spinach. Great fresh for salads or on sandwiches in place of lettuce. Also excellent cooked and added to dishes calling for spinach. A great source of vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and vitamin C! For best absorption of these valuable nutrients it is recommended to blanch the leaves for 3 minutes, then refresh in cold water. In their natural form, the nutrients are hard to digest and absorb, however blanching changes them into a form more easily digested by the body. Disease and insect resistant, a good alternative to disease and pest prone regular spinach varieties.

Planting Instructions for New Zealand Spinach Seeds

Heirloom / Open Pollinated New Zealand Spinach is a heat loving, short-lived, frost intolerant, perennial. We recommend soaking the Heirloom / Open Pollinated New Zealand Spinach Seeds for 24 hrs before planting, then direct sow seeds in full sun, covering with ½” of soil. Germination usually occurs in 7-10 days, but can be difficult. New Zealand Spinach plants like to sprawl, so you may want to trellis them to conserve garden space. Thin New Zealand Plants to 12-20″ apart.