Chenopodium quinoa
Quinoa
Photo: Maurice Chédel · Public Domain · Source
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Description
Quinoa is a low-maintenance pseudo-cereal from the Andes that grows well as a summer vegetable. The plant produces tall panicles with countless small seeds and prefers a sunny, warm location. The young leaves are edible and can be prepared like spinach. Mature seeds have a bitter protective layer of saponins that should be thoroughly washed off before consumption. Quinoa tolerates drought well and is rarely affected by pests, making it a valuable garden plant.
Care instructions
Sow quinoa from mid-April to early May directly in the garden once the soil has warmed. The plant prefers a well-drained, low- to medium-nutrient soil and requires little water; avoid waterlogged soil. Thin seedlings to a spacing of about 25–30 cm so the panicles can develop strongly. Harvest the panicles in September or early October when the seeds are hard and easily fall off, then dry them in a dry, airy place. Before eating, wash the seeds several times in clear water to remove the bitter saponins.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, sandy, lean, dry
Feeding
Light feeder
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