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Holly's Homestead — Native Bush Food

Warrigal Greens

Tetragonia tetragonioides · Fig-marigold family
DIFFICULTY Easy
TYPE Perennial groundcover, native to Australia
MATURITY 8–10 weeks
Sun
Full–part sun
Water
Low–moderate, drought-tolerant once established
Soil pH
6.0–7.5
Spacing
60–90cm
Depth
0.5–1cm

01A native spinach substitute

This sprawling native groundcover crops through the warmer months when true spinach has bolted. Blanch briefly before eating — it contains natural oxalates like ordinary spinach.

02Planting

Method
Direct sow or plant seedlings; it spreads widely once established.
Soil
Tolerant of poor, sandy soils; free-draining.
Timing
Plant in spring; thrives through summer heat that ordinary spinach can't handle.

03Growing care

  • Water while establishing, then rely mostly on rainfall.
  • Harvest tips regularly to keep new growth coming.
  • Let a section go to seed each year to self-sow for next season.
  • Give it room — it sprawls widely as a groundcover.

04Problems

  • Very few pests — one of its major advantages as a homestead crop.
  • Self-seeding beyond bounds — the main management task; harvest before seed sets if containment matters.
  • Slow to establish — be patient in the first season.
  • Woody stems if unharvested — regular picking keeps it tender.

05Harvest & storage

Signs
Leaves and tips reach usable size, continuously through the growing season.
Method
Pinch tips and leaves as needed.
Curing
None needed.
Storage
Fridge a few days; best used fresh.

06Companions & rotation

Plant nearby
TomatoCorn
Avoid nearby
None major
Rotation note
Not applicable — long-lived perennial groundcover.