Growing New Zealand Spinach in Central Texas
Tetragonia tetragonioides
New Zealand spinach is a low-maintenance, heat-loving food crop that makes a nice summer alternative to regular spinach, which only grows well in cool weather. It's rich in vitamins and minerals, insects don't seem to mess with it at all, and it makes a pretty groundcover that can be tucked under fruit trees as part of a fruit tree guild. We've also grown it in our green stalk planter and in containers or hanging baskets. It's not completely necessary because this plant is quite hardy, but if you give it afternoon shade and provide it with rich, moist soil, it will really take off.
New Zealand spinach is perennial in warm climates, but will die off after a deep freeze.
However, it's easy to propagate by seeds or cuttings to continue the cycle yearround. Or if you're growing in containers anyway, just bring it in during freeze events.
New Zealand spinach can be blanched, stir fried, tossed into soups and stews, and worked with pretty much any way you'd work with regular spinach, chard, or other leafy greens.