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