Amaranth, Rodale Red Leaf Grain (Organic)
Amaranthus sp. Leaf/Flower/Grain. 45 days leaf; 90-100 days grain.
Our renamed selection from variable material that originally came from the Rodale Institute in the early 1980s, and more recently from seed saver and author Suzanne Ashworth in California with the name Red Leaf Grain. Rodale Red Leaf Grain amaranth is strikingly beautiful with deep red color – one might believe they had planted an ornamental instead of a first-rate food crop. We have selected for early maturing, 4-5′ tall deep-red plants that produce a heavy yield of light tan seeds, perfect for edible grain use. Matures well for us even in extra cool summers. Young leaves had the best flavor raw in our amaranth taste test and make a great addition to salad mix.
Sow in pots indoors in April for planting out in May, or direct sow after danger of frost. 12–18″ spacing. Harvest for greens at any time; harvest grain when seeds rub off easily in your hand, but before seed head is crispy dry. Windrow or hang over a tarp to dry for several days, then dance, rub, or shake seeds from seed heads. For larger crops, place dry plants on a tarp and drive on it with a vehicle. Winnow to clean or place seeds in a bowl and make a stirring motion with your arm; chaff rises to the top for easy removal.
Seed Saving
For seed saving, isolate from other amaranths of the same species by 1⁄4 mile.
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