More and more plant babies are coming up every day! The snapdragon sprouts are growing fast, and they’ll need to be thinned out before they start over crowding.
The first of the Amaranth is growing quickly, which is pretty typical of this fast growing annual.
And right next to them, our soon to be blooming Marigolds are coming up to greet the world in full force!
Spotlight Plant: Amaranth!
Amaranth is a fantastic and versatile plant that can be grown just about anywhere. Grain varieties where first cultivated by Aztec and Inca tribes, and nutritional analysis show that it’s one of the most complete proteins available from any plant. There are so many different varieties to choose from it will make your head spin! Being valued as a leafy vegetable, grain or even ornamental, there’s a type for every garden so there’s no excuse from trying your hand with growing some for your self. Amaranth is hardy and drought tolerant, though it does best under the right conditions. It prefers warmth and sun and is so fast growing you can sow it directly into your garden in warm climate areas. For northern gardens like ours, though, it best started in doors early so its full growing season can be enjoyed. Amaranth can grow in many soil types but prefers well drained and rich soil and full sun. Space seeds or seedlings 10-12" apart. They will tolerate a little crowding, and look good in clumps or groups. Water them during dry periods, once or twice per week. Seed from flowers will ripen in about three months. For edible varieties, harvest the seed by bending the stalk over a bucket and giving it some firm taps. Young leaves can also be picked and cooked, even on many ornamental varieties!
Varieties to try: This year we’re only growing ornamental varieties for the front flower beds since there just not enough room in the veggie patch for edible types! But I absolutely adore the ones I picked, they’re actually some of my favorite ornamental plants, period. The first has such a tragically romantic name do to its long, draping tassels of brilliant crimson: Love-Lies-Bleeding! In spite of being planted as just an ornamental in most state-side gardens, many parts of the plants, including the leaves and seeds, are edible! The other beauty is valued for it’s leaves, both because of their fantastic color and tasty flavor! The leaves of Joseph’s Coat “Perfecta”, or Tri Color Amaranth as it’s also known, turn from green to chocolate and the newest leaves at the top of the plant are streaked with yellow and red!
I hope I've convinced you to try a type of this wonderful plant for yourself! Happy gardening, everyone!
No comments:
Post a Comment