How does quinoa grow

Quinoa plants are ready for harvest days after planting. Once the leaves have fallen off and only the dried seed heads remain, the seeds are ready to be harvested. Fortunately, quinoa is simple to harvest—the seeds can be stripped upwards towards the stalk which easily dislodges them.

Once harvested, sift the fresh quinoa seeds using a grain sifter. Before storing, the quinoa seeds need to be thoroughly dried out. Spread the seeds out thinly on a tray and place it in the hot sun or near a heat source to dry. Dried quinoa can be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry location for up to six months.

Quinoa seeds can be sown directly into the garden after the last frost has passed. In climates with warm winters, seeds can even be sown in late summer or early fall for a winter harvest.

Soil temperature should be around 60 degrees Fahrenheit for seeds to sprout. Before planting, prepare the garden bed by gently turning the soil and adding a layer of fresh compost. Space rows of seeds 12 inches apart, and inches apart along each row.

Plant seeds together to ensure that at least one survives in each spot. After the seeds are sowed, cover with a thin layer of soil and spray the top of the soil lightly to moisten.

Quinoa seeds take approximately days to germinate. Once seedlings sprout, thin out the rows to ensure there is only one plant every inches. Keep seeds and seedlings consistently moist until well-established. Quinoa plants are usually ready for harvest days after planting. Fortunately, quinoa seeds are covered in a bitter substance called saponin which protects them from bird and pest damage.

However, the leaves of quinoa plants are susceptible to infestations of aphids , flea beetles, leaf miners, and other common pests. Most viruses found in quinoa plants are transmitted by aphids or leafhoppers from other crops in the area, however, the seed production is usually unaffected. Generally, quinoa plants are hardy plants that are susceptible to few serious pests or diseases.

Actively scan device characteristics for identification. We must plant the tiny seeds at a very accurate depth to ensure that they emerge successfully. The seed germinates very quickly but is initially slow to establish into a full crop until we get some warmer weather. We use mechanical weeding in the young crop to control weeds without the use of artificial herbicides. This most often involves the use of a tractor hoe, which cultivates the space in between the quinoa rows helping to reduce the number of weeds present.

This is a tough job, requiring a steady hand and excellent concentration to avoid damaging the young quinoa seedlings. During the Summer each plant will begin to flower, after which the seeds will soon begin to develop. The seeds start off being very small and full of water, but as the summer progresses they begin to swell and become much denser.

This is an exciting stage as we can finally see all of our work start to come together. Once the quinoa crop has fully matured and the seeds have dried out in the Summer sun, a combine harvester is used to collect the seeds from the head of the plant. Fill the pot with a mixture of potting mix and compost. Two-thirds potting mix to one-third compost is a good ratio. You may also wish to add a slow release organic fertilizer to the growing medium to provide a steady feed all summer long.

Sow seeds about three inches apart, eventually thinning them to 10 to 12 inches apart. Allow the top two inches of soil to dry out in between waterings. Support tall quinoa plants with wooden or bamboo stakes or place containers at the base of a trellis or fence. Quinoa is generally trouble-free, but I have found a few pests that find the plants attractive. Here are three common pests of quinoa:. As summer turns to autumn, keep an eye on your quinoa patch.

The leaves also fall from the plant as as harvest nears. Check for maturity by running a hand along a seed stalk.

Use sharp pruners to cut the stalks just below the seed head, dropping them into a clean container or bucket. If frost threatens before the plants are ready to harvest, cover them with a lightweight row cover. Remove it the next morning so the plants can continue to dry in the sun. If rain is in the forecast, harvest as soon as the plants are mature. Note that quinoa self seeds easily so try not to spill too many seeds in your garden. If you find colonies of quinoa the following spring, just turn them over as a green manure crop or dig them up and transplant them to a new spot.

I do clean away chaff small bits of leaves and debris. The easiest want to winnow them is by tossing them gently in the air in front of a fan to blow away any bits. You can also use a screen to clean the seeds. Once your seeds are clean spread them on a screen or tray to dry for a couple more days. Store the dried quinoa seeds in a jar or container.

Before eating your homegrown quinoa you need to clean it of saponin, a bitter tasting compound that coats the seeds. I put the seeds in a blender with some cold water and run it on a low speed for seconds. Rinse and repeat.

I usually do this four or five times, or until the water is no longer foamy. Cook equal parts quinoa and water for 15 to 20 minutes or until the seeds are tender. Many seed companies now offer quinoa seeds in their catalogs. While there are many varieties available, Cherry Vanilla and Brightest Brillant are the two most widely grown in home gardens.

Cherry Vanilla — This variety is incredibly ornamental with plants that grow three to five feet tall.