Sow amaranth seeds directly outdoors after fear of frost (anytime 5/20 - 7/20), or start indoors early may and transplant 3-4 weeks later. Seed planting depth: scatter on top of soil and pat seeds (seeds need light to germinate). Keep seeds constantly moist until germination. Days to germination: 10 - 21. For baby greens, sow seeds 1” apart. For full size plants, sow groups of 4 seeds together – space groups 20” apart. Thin to strongest 1 plant.
For baby greens, cut entire plant with scissors when 1 - 4” tall. For cooking, harvest entire plant up to 8” tall. Harvest individual leaves anytime. Harvest grain when seeds easily fall out of head when shaken. To harvest grain, cut seed heads and dry them on screens. To clean, shake/thresh seeds and winnow.
Start seeds May/early June for seed that will be ready in September. May cross with wild amaranth. Minimum population size: 5 - 25. Shake ripe seeds from plants or clip plants and dry them in paper or cloth bags. Seeds will fall to the bottom of the bags. Winnow if desired.
