100 seeds
Type: Annual Height: 70’’ Exposure: Full Sun
Ready in 120 days
Planting companions: Amaranth gets along with most garden plants, but it particularly enjoys the company of potatoes, corn, and onions.
The beautiful foliage and burgundy red flowers of Red Amaranth will be an excellent addition to your herb garden! The green foliage shows its red highlights best in warm conditions. The delicately flavored shoots can be used as a garnish for your salads and can be harvested in 20 days. Young leaves can be cooked like spinach.
If you live in a cold climate region, start your amaranth seeds 4 to 6 weeks before the last expected ground frost. Otherwise, sow them directly in the garden at a depth of 1/4'' and space them 10-12'' apart. Germination should occur within 8 to 12 days.
Amaranth loves well-drained soil and full sun exposure. It tolerates drought well once established, but its flavor will be sweeter if the soil is kept moist. For better flavor, harvest the leaves after about thirty days, before the flowers develop. The goal of amaranth is to harvest the seeds, which will be ready after approximately 120 days.
To harvest the seeds, remove the heads when they are ripe and hang them upside down in a place sheltered from direct sunlight. Once completely dried, shake them to collect the seeds in a container.