Amaranth is a supply of magnificence, shade & meals in my low desert summer season backyard. I really like seeing the brightly-colored seed heads shine within the late afternoon solar. The birds and different pollinators are drawn to it as nicely. Amaranth does greater than double responsibility in my backyard because it additionally yields edible leaves and grain, and its stems are magnificent in reduce flower preparations. Learn to develop amaranth, and take into account including it to your spring and monsoon planting record.
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Amaranth Historical past & Info
There’s a lengthy historical past of Amaranth being grown in Arizona and surrounding areas. Amongst others, the Aztecs thought-about amaranth a big crop, receiving tribute funds from neighboring provinces and believing it to be the “meals of Gods.” Indigenous folks within the Southwest and Northern Mexico nonetheless collect wild amaranth greens, symbolizing the monsoon rains. For seeds and to be taught extra in regards to the historical past of amaranth, go to NaitveSeeds.Org.
Amaranth (and sunflowers) are thought-about “one other sister” in a “Three Sisters Backyard.” The tall stalks appeal to pollinators, present shade, and are an extra trellis for the beans to climb.
Amaranthus is commonly monoecious, which implies it has particular person flowers which might be both male or feminine, however each might be discovered on the identical plant. The plant is pollinated by the wind. Amaranth is an annual or short-lived perennial. In some areas, amaranth is commonly thought-about a weed, and care ought to be taken to take away the seed head if you don’t want amaranth to reseed in your backyard.
Amaranth Varieties to Attempt
There are various kinds of amaranth, with some being extra appropriate for consumption whereas others are sometimes decorative.
Hopi Purple Dye – very pink leaves and flowers. It was initially grown as a dye plant by the Southwestern Hopi Nation.
Mountain Pima Greens – from the Sonora/Chihuahua border in Mexico. The leaves are used for greens, and the light-colored seeds are floor for pinole.
Chinese language Large Orange – wonderful edible sort with giant seed heads that may develop as much as 8 ft tall.
Love-Lies-Bleeding – decorative selection options lengthy, drooping pink flowers hanging like ropes.
The place and When to Plant Amaranth
Amaranth thrives in heat temperatures and full solar (at the least 6 hours) however advantages from afternoon shade in scorching summer season local weather areas. It grows greatest in nutrient-rich soil with good drainage. Amend soil with compost earlier than planting.
Plant amaranth seeds immediately within the backyard as soon as the soil has warmed up within the spring. Barely cowl seeds with 1/4” (6mm) of soil. Skinny crops to 12-18” (30-45cm) aside, relying on the variability.
Alternatively, you can begin the seeds indoors about 6 to eight weeks earlier than the final frost date, then transplant seedlings open air as soon as the soil has warmed up.
Low desert of Arizona planting dates: March – April and July – August with the monsoon moisture.
Learn this weblog submit for extra details about monsoon gardening in Arizona, together with which different crops do nicely planted throughout the monsoon.
Develop Amaranth and Take care of It as It Grows
Studying the best way to develop amaranth is pretty easy. Right here’s what to do as soon as it begins rising:
Stake crops if essential. I exploit bamboo poles.
Amaranth Harvesting Ideas
Start harvesting leaves as quickly as they’re large enough to eat. Minimize the leaves on the base of the stem, leaving the plant intact. Small tender leaves are greatest for recent consuming; bigger leaves are greatest cooked.
In case you’re rising amaranth for its grains, harvest the seed head earlier than it dries and drops the seeds. (Fallen seeds could imply you’ll have amaranth volunteers popping up for years to come back.) Place the seed head in a paper sack. As soon as dry, shake the seed heads to take away the seeds, winnow them to take away any chaff, and retailer them in a dry, cool place for future use.
Harvest amaranth for reduce flowers when the seed heads are giant, and the colour intensifies. Strip backside leaves to forestall wilting. The stems final 7-10 days in a vase with a floral preservative.
Makes use of for Amaranth
Amaranth leaves are wealthy in nutritional vitamins and minerals. Eat recent or prepare dinner like spinach.
The grain is gluten-free and a “full protein” (comprises the entire important amino acids), making it a superb substitute for wheat. Use the grain to make porridge, bread, and even popcorn.
Amaranth provides a vibrant pop of shade and texture to chop flower preparations.