How to Grow Quinoa in New Zealand
A South American pseudocereal grown much like amaranth. In Auckland sow in spring once the soil warms and harvest seed heads in autumn. Rinse the seed well to remove the bitter saponin coating before cooking. The young leaves are also edible like spinach.
When to plant quinoa in New Zealand
Timing is everything in New Zealand, where the warm north and the cooler south are weeks apart. Sow or plant in these months for your region:
| Region | When to sow or plant |
|---|---|
| Northland | January, September, October, November, December |
| Auckland | January, September, October, November, December |
| Waikato & BoP | January, September, October, November, December |
| Wellington | January, October, November, December |
| Nelson & Marlborough | January, October, November, December |
| Canterbury | November, December |
| Otago & Southland | November, December |
| Central Otago | December |
Best quinoa varieties for NZ
- Rainbow — Colourful mixed seed heads, ornamental and productive pseudocereal. (Kings Seeds, Egmont Seeds)
- Cherry Vanilla — Pink to cream seed heads, attractive and good yielding. (Kings Seeds, Egmont Seeds)
How to grow quinoa
- Space plants about 30cm apart.
- Sow seed around 1cm deep.
- Position: full sun.
- Ready to harvest in roughly 120 days.
- Seeds germinate in about 7 days.
Companion planting
Grow quinoa near: Corn, Beans.
Pests and problems
Watch for: Birds, Aphids. See our NZ pest and disease guide for organic control.
For a calendar tuned to your exact region, see the New Zealand planting guides or the Quinoa plant page.
FAQ
When is the best time to plant quinoa in New Zealand?
In the warm north (Auckland, Northland) sow in January, September, October, November, December. Cooler regions plant a little later. Check the table above for your region.
Where can I buy quinoa seeds or plants in NZ?
Try Kings Seeds, Egmont Seeds.