This companion planting seed set combines three vegetable varieties that complement each other particularly well in the bed: New Zealand spinach, Batavia lettuce 'Grazer Krauthäuptel' and radish 'Malaga'. The idea behind this combination is simple and very practical: New Zealand spinach develops slowly at first in the young plant stage, but later needs considerably more space. The initially free gaps can therefore be used very well with fast-growing crops such as radishes and lettuce.
This creates a well-timed companion planting arrangement. While the New Zealand spinach is still small and slowly establishing itself, radishes and lettuce already bring an early harvest to the bed. Radishes grow especially quickly and can usually be harvested after just a few weeks. The Batavia lettuce also uses the still open space before the New Zealand spinach forms its long shoots and spreads more strongly. Once lettuce and radishes have been harvested, the New Zealand spinach has more room for its lush summer growth.
This combination is particularly well suited to vegetable beds, raised beds and smaller growing areas where the available space should be used as efficiently as possible. The set is also interesting for structured growing methods such as square-foot gardening, as the varieties have different development times and growth habits. The plants can be sown or planted alternately in rows, in small groups or specifically in the spaces between other crops.
The following plant varieties are included in this companion planting seed set:
-
New Zealand spinach (Tetragonia tetragonioides)
New Zealand spinach is a warmth-loving, perennial but frost-sensitive spinach plant with a strong flavour and lush growth. Unlike classic spinach, it thrives particularly well in the warm season and provides fleshy, aromatic leaves over a long period. In the young plant stage it grows slowly at first, later spreading with long shoots and allowing regular harvests.
-
Batavia lettuce 'Grazer Krauthäuptel' (Lactuca sativa)
'Grazer Krauthäuptel' is a traditional Batavia lettuce with crisp, hearty leaves and an attractive leaf structure. The variety is a tasty relative of iceberg and butterhead lettuce and performs very well both in the bed and on the plate. In this set, the lettuce takes on the role of a fast intermediate crop that uses the free space while the New Zealand spinach is still small.
-
Radish 'Malaga' (Raphanus sativus)
'Malaga' is a mild, fast-growing radish with purple skin and white, crisp flesh. The variety brings early colour and harvest to the bed and is excellent for the spaces between slow-growing crops. Since radishes have only a short growing period, they are usually harvested before the New Zealand spinach needs more space.
One seed packet per plant variety.
Three reliable vegetable varieties for clever companion planting
Companion planting means combining different plant species in such a way that they complement each other as well as possible in the bed. Growth habit, root depth, nutrient requirements, light needs and development time all play an important role. Not every plant is a good neighbour for every other plant - some compete strongly with one another, while others can grow side by side without crowding each other.
With this set, the main focus is on timing: radishes and lettuce grow quickly and use the free space while the New Zealand spinach is still developing slowly. Later, when it needs more room, the fast crops have already been harvested. This allows a bed area to be used particularly efficiently throughout the season.
The set is part of a series of companion planting seed sets, each containing three to six plant varieties. The combinations are selected so that they are well suited to growing together and clearly illustrate the principle of good neighbours in the vegetable bed. Companion planting can be arranged alternately in rows, within a row, in small planting groups or freely mixed. The important thing is that the direct neighbouring plants complement one another and do not crowd each other.
For sowing, it is recommended to raise New Zealand spinach indoors from April or sow it directly outdoors from mid-May after the last frosts. Radishes and lettuce can be sown directly into the bed earlier, depending on the weather. In companion planting, they are placed in the free spaces or rows so that they use the space before the New Zealand spinach spreads more strongly. A sunny to partially shaded position, loose humus-rich soil and even moisture encourage good development of all three crops.
