Look at the photo on this page! This is my own grown quinoa on my little plot in England. I am so chuffed about the succes of this project I can’t tell you. Last year I attempted to grow my own quinoa and I got a few seedlings. They then just withered away to nothing. For 2009 I have had great success due to doing things in a better way.
Growing My Own Quinoa
I bought special seeds from the Real Seed Company. I ordered 2 varieties although I have only sown the Rainbow seeds this year. I am saving the others for a second crop in a few months. These special quinoa seeds are for cold and damp growing conditions which is probably why they have grown so well.
Having said that the weather here in the UK has been hot and sunny now for 2 weeks. Since the photo was taken the plants have grown considerably and now stand at about 2 feet. I have been told that you can take leaves fron the plant and use them in salads. You can also cook them like spinach. I haven’t tried this yet but I will.
I ignored the sowing instructions as I always do and simply put seeds in a 2 inch seed pod tray for germination. They nearly all germinated and as I only had room for about 8 plants most of them were thrown away. I was not expecting them all to work so well. As soon as the quinoa seedlings were 6 inches high I planted them out into my small vegetable plot. This was about 5 weeks ago. I now have a set of healthy quinoa plants growing away. I have no idea how high they will grow or how long it will take for the quinoa grain to appear on my plant but I am full of anticipation.
I had some of my family visit this afternoon and they were very interested in seeing the plants. Non of them had ever seen a quinoa plant before. I am sure my relatives think I am nuts about quinoa and they are right. But they couldn’t hide their amazement at the success of me growing this quinoa. (They are not that good at acting!)
hey ken, you planted in may and produced a green flourish, how about letting us know if by now your plants have set seed!
cheers
davo
Hi davo
My quinoa is ready to pick anyday. The seeds are just finishing going hard. i have been unable to resist eating some of the seeds straight from the plants but they are way too bitter for me.
I am not sur how to pick the quinoa so I am contacting the seed company to get advice.
Ken
I need quinoa seeds for planting in the tropics.Tell how to get it.
I live in Oyo state, Nigeria.
Thanks for the information.
‘Wole.
That photo is of lambs quarters… It is a delicious spinach-like wild plant that can be easily cultivated, and will self-sow.
Quinoa is a member of the goose foot family, same as good king Henry in europe and lambs quarters in the United States. A couple of year ago I planted a varity call magenta magic, it turned out to be a very beautiful plant; but to my surprise it also became a evastive weed in the end.