Re: [gardeners] Re: Potatoes/spinach

Jane Burdekin (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Tue, 20 Oct 1998 11:21:52 -0600

Hi Penny,
NZ spinnach is a slow bolting spinach.  The leaves are more pointed and
it's not as bumpy of a leaf.  It is not a perennial here in Colorado.  It
also doesn't collect the sand as much as regular spinnach.  I like both,
but prefer the traditional kind.  It may be a perennial for George but not
here.

Jane

>Hi George
>
>Never heard of New Zealand spinach.  It sounds more like a vine than the
>kind of spinach I grow.  Could you elaborate please.  Also, you mention
>its a perennial.  Is it a perennial in colder zones, say 5/6a too?  Sounds
>interesting.
>
>TIA
>
>Penny in Halifax, N.S.
>
>>>> George Shirley <gshirley@iamerica.net> 10/20 10:58 AM >>>
>We use pine needles for a mulch under our blueberries and the azaleas,
>partially for the acidic boost and mostly because they mat good and stay
>there.
>
>Allen, our garden runs slightly acidic, about 6.5 pH and New Zealand
>spinach grows like a weed for us. Very good lightly steamed, freezes
>well, and dehydrates very well. I usually dry about a gallon container
>for winter use, ie soups and stews. Put it somewhere it can climb or run
>along the ground and just pick the leaves as you need them. It's
>supposed to be a perennial but I just found that out this year so will
>plant along the fence where it's out of the way.
>
>George