Amaranth

 The question everyone asks when they come to our garden is 1. What is that giant purple plant? A: Amaranth

Question 2: What is Amaranth? It is a grain like quinoa and has been used in many ancient civilizations through out time. You can actually harvest some varieties seeds as grains. Other types of amaranth seeds can be used to make mini-popcorn. You can also harvest the leaves but we only prefer the leaves when they are small. Once the plant starts flowering and the leaves grow larger, the taste becomes less appealing. Besides the novelty of harvesting your own grain, amaranth is a beautiful and unusual plant. We planted seeds once many years ago and it easily re-seeds itself each summer and pops up everywhere. I am fascinated by amaranth because some experts think it can help alleviate hunger in Africa because it grows like a weed and needs little water. The grains are the highest in protein of any grains and contain other important nutrients. It's a neat, funky little plant. Well, maybe not so little. It towers over our corn.

Amaranth growing with corn

We have alllll the seeds, so if you would like to grow some just let me know and I'll shake a few off a plant for you. Each plant contains 100s of seeds and this is a fail proof impossible to kill plant. It also makes great chicken snacks and tall fort walls. Happy Gardening!