Re: [gardeners] Re: Potatoes
drusus@golden.net (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Tue, 20 Oct 1998 20:59:39 -0400
At 01:06 PM 20-10-98 -0700, you wrote:
>Straight from the Pinetree catalog, page 31: New Zealands Spinach (55
>days) This perennial spinach substitute has been in use in this country
>since long before the Constitution. It is a staple of the dooryard
>gardens at Sturbridge Village. Seeds are large (10 per packet) and slow
>to germinate, so be patient. Properly known as tetragone, the flavor is
>quite similar to that of real spinach.
>
>Pinetree doesn't mention that it's a climber but I found out when it
>climbed a tomato cage and took over. Hope this helps.
>
>George
It is not a climber in the Great Lakes region, nor a perrenial, although
it'll self-seed. The taste is quite nice.
Lucinda
>
>Penny Nielsen wrote:
>>
>> 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
>
>