Does anyone grow Amaranth?
dirtygardener
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
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Glenn Jones(9b)
4 years agoGlenn Jones(9b)
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Growing Potted Amaranth Grain: A Science Project
Comments (8)Re CP13's question: I am growing amaranth that was seeded into a compost/soil pile I inherited when a friend moved away (she'd bagged it all up so how could I say no?!). I had dozens of volunteers come up in containers that were planted with other seeds. They have dark green leaves and stems are topped with large light-green grain aka seedheads. That is what I meant about careful in the compost, as it seems that's how I got so many volunteer seedlings. So far I have harvested and cooked leaves a few times, much like a coarser spinach. I have not yet cooked the grain, I suppose it needs to be dried first? Just the other day I was thinking I might try seeding the amaranth as a cover crop on some garden space that is currently sitting under weed-killing black plastic (that needs to come off before it disintegrates into little pieces) but that I won't put beds into for a while. The friend also gave me a big bag of seeds marked "Callaloo" which is apparently the Caribbean name for Amaranth, plus I have plenty more seeds now....See MoreAnyone grow Amaranth?
Comments (10)Hi, I got some in the newbie pack. (Thank you whoever you were!) Not sure what type but they are a pretty purple so assuming Purple Amaranth. Anyhow, I got great germination from the seeds and planted most of them in the ground about a month ago and they are just going to town. I am thinking, though, I am a novice at all this, that you have bugs eating your plants. I have been using the little collars from the margarine tops that I had left from wsing and put them around my plants. It doesnt look so lovely right now but once they get bigger I will take them away. On another thread they were talking about how much bugs loved the tender seedlings, so maybe try that? Its working for me so far. Betsy...See MoreValue added or niche items anyone?
Comments (23)Marla, Thanks for the reply. I'm already 'working' all the short cuts I know for canning since I do a lot for my own family. I have a very large stash of jars, mostly picked up in my travels when I find them on sale, flea markets, yard sales, thrift stores. I keep adding and stashing :) We've had a few successful small business ventures, so I understand gross sales vs. the bottom line. It's unfortunate, but I've come to understand that when I do something I love to do, I can't expect to be paid as much for my time. That's the price you pay for not being a slave to somebody else's rules, and I think it's mostly worthwhile. The other thing is that we don't expect to make much profit for the first few years while we are learning what our new market customers want, and personally while we are building infrastructure on our property as our budget permits. That said, a lot of what we consider "value added" are the small steps our family has taken to make our microfarm more productive--deer fence, planting rows of berries and other fruits, expanding the range of things we're trying to grow and being creative about maximum use of the space we have, etc. In addition to selling products grown specifically for market plus our excess produce, we're expanding our own food base to keep from dependence on the grocery store. (Adding mushrooms, garlic this fall, chickens next spring...then hopefully bees). These are value added benefits that can't be measured as easily in dollars, but are precious nonetheless (as I'm sure most farmers would agree). We're also enjoying becoming more involved in our community, which is another "value added" benefit. I'm sure there are others, but this is moving too far off the original value added topic, so I'll stop blabbing now. Carrie...See MoreAnyone growing amaranth?
Comments (10)What a nice accent there in the front bed! I'm surprised the foliage isn't darker, mine usually have a dark reddish tint to the leaves as well. This is a plant I wouldn't bother wintersowing and actually when it starts too soon I think it would very likely stress out in the pot and end up being stunted. I usually sow a few seeds in the beginning of june and plant them out once I can keep track of them. The ones which self sow in the garden are usually all ripped out and then the ones which bloom are the second batch which sneaks in and grows up after I get too busy to notice :) Maybe three weeks ago I planted some bean seeds in compost enriched soil. The beans are soon to be swallowed in a sea of 'Hopi red' since apparently the compost was filled with seed. They should all be ripped out but I'm kind of interested to see how it will all play out. It looks cool with the beans coming up out of a purple carpet. I planted a few 'Hot Biscuits' out in the front bed. June and July were dry and not much happened, rain in August has them up to about 5 feet and blooming. They look a little "agricultural" but my beds aren't exactly pristine to begin with. This morning:...See Moreibarbidahl
4 years agoGlenn Jones(9b)
4 years agopoetie
4 years agodirtygardener
4 years agopoetie
4 years agodirtygardener
4 years agopoetie
4 years agoibarbidahl
4 years agodirtygardener
4 years ago
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