Amaranth

[Picco]

Has anyone grown the grain-type before?

 

[Hencackle]

No, but the pigweed amaranth grows like crazy in my garden!
Are you getting your seed from Seeds of Change? They carry amaranth as well as quinoa.

 

[sebrightlover]

Nope, but I plan to this year

 

[Picco]

I'm ordering from either sand hill preservation or from wild seeds. I ordered the seeds of change catalog a month ago and it hasn't come, I guess they missed out :/. I haven't ordered from wild seeds before but I really like their catalog. Everything is organic and 3 bucks a packet! They have several varieties.

 

[sebrightlover]

oh --- what's the link to wild seeds

 

[Picco]

oops its called wild garden seed:

http://www.wildgardenseed.com/

 

[897tgigvib]

Yes I have. I have grown a variety called Oskar Blanco in Montana.

It is very easy to grow. Couple things:

Plant around the time you'd plant pole beans

Do not let the plants be too close together. The closer together, the smaller the plants will be.

There are several good varieties that grow a good 6 feet tall.

They like warmth and sun, plenty of water, and good soil helps them. Bone meal is good for them, and ashes mixed in the soil is helpful.

 

[897tgigvib]

And the Amaranths are very ornamental!

If you let the seedheads drop they will self sow and even be one of your new weeds.