Amaranth - Burgundy (Amaranth hypochondriacus) Organic NonGMO Heirloom Grain

Amaranth - Burgundy (Amaranth hypochondriacus) Organic NonGMO Heirloom Grain

Annual

Height 5 to 8 ft

This is an absolutely stunning and ornamental plant! Burgundy Amaranth is a striking addition to any garden. The huge plants produce large stalks of deep burgundy plumes and make a bold statement in flower arrangements.  Edible beige seeds follow the dramatic, burgundy plumes in about 105 days; seeds are very high in protein and other nutrients and can be cooked like rice for a side dish, or pop like popcorn! Very young leaves are delectable for salads and steaming.

 Luxurious, drooping, chartreuse coloured tassels can be left to reseed or seeds gathered when ready and stored for future plantings. If you like to feed the birds, you can leave the seeds on and watch them flock to your yard. Young leaves are tasty and nutritious, and nutritionally similar to beets, swiss chard and spinach. Excellent cut flowers!

• Full Sun
• Well draining soil
• Regardless of how you plant, seeds should be sown on the surface of finely worked soil or moist high-quality potting soil. Then, barely cover (1/4 in) the seeds with finely sifted soil. Mist the seeds in place. Do not use a strong jet of water as this can displace seeds or wash them away.
• Direct sowing:  late spring. 
• OR start seeds indoors starter pots; place the amaranth seeds on top of moist high-quality seed starting soil and cover with 1/4 in of finely sifted soil. Once the seedlings have germinated and have the first set of true leaves be sure to fertilize regularly with an organic liquid fertilizer. Thin amaranth plants to at least 12 in apart and transplant outdoors when the seedlings reach 10 to 12 inches tall and after all risk of frost has passed.
• Germinates in 4-10 days and matures in 40 -60 days.
• Spacing: 18 to 24 in apart.
• Collect seed heads as they begin to dry on the plant and store in closed paper bags to finish drying. Save in cool dry place.
• Seed Count: 1gr