Quinoa

Growing

Because quinoa is wind-pollinated, you can sow seeds directly into the garden by broadcasting them across the soil, or by creating distinct rows and grooves. To help ensure a successful crop, consider splitting your sowing dates among different plants rather than planting everything at once. Before you sow, prepare your soil thoroughly, and be sure to stay on top of weeding shortly after the seeds emerge. If you are growing in a garden bed, rotating your crops with legumes, cereals, or potatoes can help maintain soil health and prevent the degradation often seen in monoculture systems.

Harvesting requires careful timing because different panicles on a single plant may mature at different intervals. To prevent seed loss from shattering, you must pick the grain when it is ready. While large-scale operations use combines, home gardeners typically harvest by hand. Once you have gathered your crop, you can store the unwashed seeds in a cool, dark cellar or at room temperature. For longer-term preservation, you may also use the freezer or a drying method.