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The remarkably resilient amaranth
MAT COWARD recommends any variety of the hardy plant, both decorative and edible, that only needs watering a few days after planting
Amaranth
[Joost J. Bakker / Creative Commons]
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THERE are several cheerful reasons for growing amaranth, but there’s also one rather depressing one: climate change. It’s one of the few annual vegetables that doesn’t seem to be bothered by either wet summers or heatwaves.
You may already be growing it, without knowing it. Amaranthus is a genus of plants with many members, including the popular garden ornamental, love-lies-bleeding. Every species is edible (according to the experts at Garden Organic), though some are more palatable than others. Luckily, love-lies-bleeding is one of the best to eat, easiest to grow, and handsomest.
For the widest choice, have a look at the Real Seeds website: www.realseeds.co.uk. They sell a number of types, either for producing a harvest of seeds (which are used as a grain, similar to rice) or leaves, which are commonly eaten as an excellent cooked green, often called callaloo. Both leaf and grain are considered unusually valuable foods by nutritionists.
May is the month for starting amaranth, either by scattering the seeds on moist, warm soil outside, or — more reliably — by sowing it in trays or pots indoors, on a bright windowsill.
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