Amaranth Seeds for Home Gardening

Vegetable amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor) is the prized leafy green also known as Chinese spinach, callaloo or tampala. Its tender leaves and soft shoot tips come in green, red and beautifully variegated tones that look as good in the garden as on the plate. With a mild, spinach-like flavour, it is cooked into stews, sautes and side dishes, and the colourful foliage doubles as an ornamental edible for home growers.

Planting

Sow only in warm conditions, as amaranth dies in cold and frost; aim for a soil temperature of at least 21 C. Place the tiny seed shallowly, just 3-6 mm deep, spaced about 2.5 cm apart in rows 30-45 cm apart. Seedlings emerge in around 7 days at 21-24 C. Thin plants to about 15 cm apart, and enjoy the tender thinnings as microgreens or baby leaves.

Fertilizing

As a leafy crop, amaranth has a high nitrogen demand. Apply nitrogen as a base dressing at planting, then side-dress during active leaf growth. Add phosphate and potash only if a soil test calls for them. Avoid over-applying nitrogen, which causes pale leaves and unwanted nitrate build-up in the foliage.

Care

Grow in full sun for the best leaf yield, with light afternoon shade in extreme heat. Keep soil evenly moist without overwatering, watering most carefully during early growth. Watch for aphids and leaf-eating caterpillars, treating with hand-picking, insecticidal soap or neem oil. Ensure good spacing and drainage to prevent damping-off and rot. Harvest leaves and tips from about 3-6 weeks, cutting repeatedly before flowering.