Since amaranth is extremely sensitive to frost, it must be re-sown every year. But when is the right time? How deep should the amaranth grains be sown and which location is suitable for this pseudo-grain?
When and how should you sow amaranth?
Amaranth should be sown between March and June, ideally after the Ice Saints in May. The right location is full sun to partial shade, protected from the wind, with deep, permeable and nutrient-rich soil. The seeds are sown 1-2 cm deep and require a germination temperature of 15-19 °C.
Sowing time: From March to June
You can sow amaranth (also known as foxtail) from March onwards in a warm place at home. Pre-cultivation is recommended until the end of April. After that, direct sowing is better.
If you want to sow the amaranth directly outdoors, you should not do this before mid-May. The Ice Saints should be over by now. Otherwise there is a risk that the young plants will freeze due to night frost. You can sow the seeds directly by June at the latest.
Finding a suitable location
But where does the amaranth feel at home? When planting or sowing, a location with the following properties should be used:
- full sun to partial shade
- Protected from the wind (to avoid the stems from twisting)
- deep soil
- permeable, loose, nutritious soil
Tackling sowing: sowing depth, germination temperature and germination time
Let's get started: The tiny seeds are sown 1 to 2 cm deep. The reason: Amaranth is a dark germinator. It should now be warm for germination. Temperatures between 15 and 19 °C are optimal to stimulate the germination process. If the soil was kept moderately moist, the seedlings will appear on the surface after 1 to 2 weeks.
Important information for further cultivation after sowing
After sowing the following aspects are important:
- water well in the first few weeks
- Young plants are susceptible to snail damage
- later amaranth tolerates dry periods well
- from a size of 10 cm, thin out to a distance of 20 to 30 cm
- Excess amaranth plants (due to thinning) can be harvested and eaten
Varieties suitable for direct sowing
Finally, a selection of the amaranth varieties that are well suited for direct sowing, as they either fruit very early or grow low and therefore bloom early:
- ‘Green Thumb’
- ‘Pigmy Torch’
- 'Sangre de Castilla'
- ‘Opopeo’
Tip
100 g of seeds is enough for a whole hectare of land. You can spread them widely and then rake them in lightly.
