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Post by alpacasock on Apr 26, 2023 7:05:29 GMT -5
I keep on forgetting to plant amaranth. Is it too late to sow? Are they easy to find as plants at nurseries? I am interested in it not only for decorative reasons but also because I like eating callaloo (that's what people from the West Indies call it). I did sow some malabar spinach which has similar culinary qualities.
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Post by Mumsey on Apr 26, 2023 14:28:57 GMT -5
I plant the Love Lies Bleeding variety. Direct sown and it grows fast. Won’t put the seeds out til next week. But I have heard it self seeds readily. I may be pulling a lot of them.
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Post by alpacasock on Apr 26, 2023 15:12:00 GMT -5
Mumsey, good to know. I will use seeds then!
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Post by Wheelgarden on Apr 26, 2023 15:49:35 GMT -5
I've sometimes planted amaranth for the grain...I prefer the taste and texture of it over quinoa. but threshing and processing it is kind of a pain for me to pull off. I have enjoyed the greens while growing it. It sure is pretty in the garden. It's not too late, just direct-sow it.
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Post by alpacasock on Apr 26, 2023 16:24:45 GMT -5
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Post by breezygardener on Apr 26, 2023 16:47:21 GMT -5
I keep on forgetting to plant amaranth. Is it too late to sow? Are they easy to find as plants at nurseries? I am interested in it not only for decorative reasons but also because I like eating callaloo (that's what people from the West Indies call it). I did sow some malabar spinach which has similar culinary qualities. I'm growing Amaranth for the first time this year. Bought the seeds from Botanical Interests (although I see that they're currently sold out). www.botanicalinterests.com/product/Edible-Red-Leaf-Amaranth-SeedsI too am growing them strictly for the leaves, as I too am a "Callaloo" fan. It definitely is NOT too late to sow seed (if you can find them). In fact, in Zone 7a, it's still too early to sow outside, although you can start some indoors if you wish. Outdoor day temps should be consistently above 60 degrees for best germination. It's a tropical/warm weather plant. And the greens are suitable for use starting at just 7-9 weeks.
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Post by pepperhead212 on Apr 26, 2023 16:54:09 GMT -5
alpacasock Have you grown the Malabar spinach before? If not, be forewarned - it can become invasive, even in our area! It was good, but I had to pull the vines out by mid-August, that had spread from just 2 plants, and I kept seeing it in a few summers after - I just had to pull it, as soon as I saw any, and eventually got rid of it. I sometimes grow amaranth out front, since it is decorative, and edible! I like the grain, too, but I have never tried to harvest that.
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Post by alpacasock on Apr 26, 2023 17:18:01 GMT -5
That's a lot of great information thanks breezygardener and pepperhead212 yes I did last year and it didn't really take off. Wish I knew that before I sowed some seeds last week... ugh.Although it is in a section next to an annoying neighbors fence so I guess it's not the end of the world.
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Post by alpacasock on Apr 26, 2023 17:34:38 GMT -5
Hey, pepperhead212 do you grow dock/sorrel? I was surprised to see that mine survived the whole winter. Had no idea it was so hardy... edit: I just read now that it can be invasive as well. I planted mine next to some northern sea oats so I guess they will have a battle royal for the space between.
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Post by pepperhead212 on Apr 26, 2023 19:27:24 GMT -5
alpacasock I grew sorrel, but was not that crazy about it, plus it wasn't that productive. Though it was perennial, I pulled it after the second year.
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Post by gardendmpls on Apr 26, 2023 23:15:12 GMT -5
Grandkids loved to snack on sour sorrel when out in the yard. Called it lemon leaf.
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