Red Garnet Amaranth (55 Days)
The Red Garnet Amaranth is a lovely and versatile vegetable, grain, or ornamental. The young leaves are a colorful addition to any salad and an excellent spinach substitute. Eventually, the plant matures into a five-foot-tall ornamental distinguished by its dramatic burgundy leaves. A source for red dye.
100 seeds
PLANTING
Amaranthus caudatus
Germination: 10-15 days
Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 70-80ºF
Seed Planting Depth: On the surface, lightly cover.
Sowing Indoors Start indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Provide 70-80ºF soil temperature. Sow 2-3 seeds per cell/pot. Thin to the strongest seedling. Transplant after last frost, 6-12" apart.
Sowing Outdoors: After the last frost when the soil temperature reaches 70ºF. Sow a few seeds every 3-6", thin to 6-12" apart.
Harvest: Start picking young leaves when plants are 12" tall.
Tips: Red Garnet Amaranth should be planted in fertile, well-drained soil. Amend with compost or well-rotted manure. Pinch plants back to encourage young leaves to grow.