All the Dirt on Gardening

Amaranth is an ancient tropical plant that has a place in our summer garden every year. The tall varieties contribute architectural interest to a couple of large beds. The common and colorful names for Amaranth varieties include Kiss Me Over the Garden Gate, Pig Weed, Goose Foot, Chinese Spinach, Gizzard Plant, Cock’s Comb and Chenille Plant. Amaranth’s history began in India, Mexico and South America and its spinach-like leaves are still eaten worldwide. Because of their high value, 200,000 bushels of seed were required in payment by the Aztecs to Montezuma for their annual taxes. Amaranth leaves are rich in calcium, iron, vitamins A and C and are added to soups and salads. The seeds are commonly used as a high-fiber protein source; and, when cooked, the seeds are 90% digestible. Amaranth is a gluten-free seed rather than a grain and is considered a super-food. In the US, the seeds are used in bread, casseroles, as a rice-like side dish, popped and sprouted for salads. In Me...

The first Amaranth I grew from seed was Love Lies Bleeding ornamental. And, I've written about Amaranth before, because if you grow a few varieties, you are providing nectar for adult butterflies, seeds for fall migrating birds, and a feast for your eyes. This other October beauty, Chenopodium gigantum , is commonly called Magenta Spreen , Purple Goosefoot, Tree Spinach and Giant Lambsquarters . Can you beat the pink and green colors of Magenta Spreen for their cheerfulness when paired on the same leaf? Hopi Red Dye, Amaranth, Spreen , Chinese Spinach, call them what you will, I love these plants that many gardeners consider weeds. Here are two varieties growing together in the nectar bed. The Globe Amaranth or Gomphrena , on the left in pink and the Cockscomb seedlings in hot red on the right. The leaf colors are stunningn the fall. Then, let's talk about fall leaf colors on the Spreen . These leaves are on the same variety but in different beds with varying fertility a...

There are several Amaranth varieties growing and blooming on our little slice of the Earth. One is 7 feet tall, another only 6 inches with broad, pink and green striped leaves. Pigweed is one common name used for all varieties...that's not my favorite flower nickname, however. Chinese Spinach is a nickname I can live with. All Amaranth varieties have nutritious leaves used as a food source for hundreds of years. The seeds are a source of vegetarian protein used in many ways from popping to steaming. Ground into flour, gluten free pastries are made from the seeds. Globe Amaranth , an old fashioned everlasting flower, is seen here with Wave Petunias in a bed by the garden shed. This fall I'll dry some of the dark red/purple Globe Amaranth flowers in silica beads to use over the winter. The Strawberry Fields and Bicolor Pink would probably fade to some grey color. There are many ways to preserve flowers successfully: Air drying, silica, antifreeze, glycerine, pressing, sand, ...