Tetragonia tetragonioides
Description
From the Aizoaceae(ice plant)family, it is also known as New Zealand Spinachprobably named so because the English explorers, who found it in the Antipodes, cooked it as they would Spinach, though it has no botanically relation to Spinach. Tetragon is a half-hardy perennial originating from temperate, subtropical and coastal regions of the Southern Hemisphere. It is a quick growing leafy vegetable with succulent like leaves and a low spreading habit, often over several feet, which can be left to spread or trained to grow over trellising. A popular vegetable in warmer climes and in the summer months as it can stand heat and draught without bolting. The tips and young leaves are used in place of spinach or other leafy greens.
History
An heirloom leafy vegetable that was a popular among the Maori of New Zealand and first brought to Europe by Joseph Banks in 1771 on his return aboard the Endeavour with Captain Cook .
Spread: 120cm
Site & Soil
Prefers a sunny site sheltered from frost with well-drained, sandy soil rich in organic matter and a PH range of 6.8-7. It is a resilient crop tolerant of very poor soils, high temperatures and maritime exposures but not of frost. Add well-rotted compost to the top 15cm of the soil before sowing.
Germinates 2-3 weeks
Crops in 50-70 days
Propagation
Germination can be slow; soaking the seeds for 24hrs before sowing will help break down the hard outer coating of the seed. Sow 1-2cm deep in fine soil and keep moist until seedlings emerge.
- 1.Sow directly in mid-late spring after the last frost.
2.Sow undercover and set out when 5cm high when all danger of frost has past.
Timing
Sow (April) May
Harvest: July-Oct
Spacing
Space plants 30cm apart each way. Some books recommend a spacing of 60cm but I have not found that necessary.
Care
Tetragon needs very little care. Pinch out the growing tips to encourage bushy growth. Hoe to keep weeds down during seedling stage after that the foliage will act as a ground cover and suppress weeds Water in very dry weather.
Pests & Diseases
Tetragon is relatively pest free; slugs and snail don’t even seem to bother it.
Harvest
The shoots and leaves are used rather than the stem, which can be a bit tough. Regular picking promotes new growth and plants can be cut down near to ground level and still re-grow.
Nutrition and Culinary
Tetragon is high in Iron, beta crotene and folic acid as well as Vitamins A, B1, B2 and C. In France Tetragon is used to make a quiche like tart with the boiled greens mashed up with egg, nutmeg and Crème fraîche and baked in a pastry shell. It is also steamed or boiled and drizzled with olive oil.
Seed collection
Seeds are very easy to collect. Flowers are produced at leaf axis along the growing stem leaving green buds with small spikes once these buds start to turn brown they are ready to harvest. Finish drying the seeds and store in a paper bags in cool temperatures. NB Be careful to harvest all the seeds before they drop, unless you want to start a self-seeding bed, as Tetragon is very good at propagating itself.
Varieties Recommended
There are no named cultivars offered.
