(Chenopodium spp. [mostly C. album]) (Not germination tested*) Many people consider this a weed. It is admittedly self-seeding, prolific, and fast growing. But we love to eat it until we turn green and lambsquarters is an annual which is easy to kill by hoeing, so we look at it as a wonderfully easy-to-grow food rather than a weed! We basically always eat it blanched and drained to leach the anti-nutritional…
(Amaranthus sp., likely A. cruentus) 6’/2m tall plants with orange stems and seedheads and green leaves form a striking focal point for the garden. Somewhat more productive than Opopeo in our 2022 trial, and less prone to lodging (falling over). No lodging at all in 2023, so this is swiftly becoming our favourite! In 2023, we averaged 2 Tbsp of seed per plant. I believe this to be Amaranthus cruentus.…
(Amaranthus sp., likely A. cruentus) One of the most visually stunning plants I have ever grown. In late summer brilliant magenta plants with seedheads up to 2’/60cm long stand taller than most gardeners. Produces loads of tiny, tan-coloured seeds. The name refers to the town in Mexico where it originated. 130 days to maturity. 1/2 tsp/packet.
(Fagopyrum esculentum) We only grow one variety, but it has interesting variations in stem and immature seed colour; some are green and others are red. Like all buckwheats this one is indeterminate; seed matures gradually while the plants continue to flower. 75 days to first mature seed. 1 tbsp/packet. --- Buckwheat is both a valuable food crop and a cover crop. It grows so fast that it has to be…
(Linum usitatissimum) Flax is not a grain; but it is grown similarly to the spring grains. One of the oldest domesticated plants from the Middle East, flax has long been used both for fibre (harvested from its stems) and for its nutritious seeds. This variety from John Sherck of Indiana is technically a fibre flax, but it is really a good dual-purpose variety. Long, straight stems topped by beautiful blue…
(Secale cereale) Rye is an old grain, long grown in northern areas where it was hard to grow wheat. While wheat has been intensively bred, rye has been largely passed by for two main reasons: where the climate is favourable, wheat can have considerably higher yields, and also rye, because of the type of gluten present in it, tends to make a heavier bread than wheat. This history means that…
(Sorghum bicolor) Sorghum is a unique crop: until they flower, the plants look distinctly like corn. But instead of cobs, they produce a head at the top of the plant which is covered with round seeds. It is easily threshed and does not require hulling before eating. Sorghum is gluten-free, and can be cooked and eaten whole, for porridge, or ground into flour for use in baking. The stems of…
