NZ edibles

Hey Leila, what is your usda zone equivalent? I'm really interested in growing New Zealand native edibles.

Steve Flanagan wrote:Hey Leila, what is your usda zone equivalent? I'm really interested in growing New Zealand native edibles.

I'm 9-ish. What do you want to grow? 'Edible' is often used pretty loosely with NZ plants; they're generally...just...'survival food'.
Tetragonia tetragonoides (New Zealand Spinach) is an exception.

Sorry, I know the conversation has digressed, but...
I live in growing zone 9a, bordering 8b.
I like the idea of growing a variety of edibles from around the world. I am especially interested in fruit. I do have some New Zealand Spinach seeds but didn't plant them this year. What's the best way to grow them?
I've planted edibles from Chili, South Africa, Southern Europe, East and West Asia, and North America. I have no Australian or New Zealand Edibles yet.
Give me some plant to research that should grow where I live.

It's easy to grow and can be quite rampant. It has seed clusters like beets and I'd direct-sow in the same way: reasonably deep and prepare to thin the seedlings.
Soaking seed overnight's worthwhile.
The plant is pretty easygoing, but it will take as much water as you'll give it.

I picked some of NZ Spinach seeds up recently. I can't wait to see how they do. I have read that they do need to be blanched or sauteed first before eaten. Do you have any opinions on how to cook the leaves?