permaculture

[venaurafarm <venaurafarm@bellsouth.net>]

On 10/8/2012 12:26 AM, loren luyendyk wrote:

> the leaves and seeds are not only edible but very nutritious:
>
> http://www.eattheweeds.com/amaranth-grain-vegetable-icon/
>
> perhaps the amaranth is replacing soil nutrients that are lacking.  they have 
> deep tap roots and are dynamic acculmulators:
>
> "Amaranth, also known as pigweed is another great dynamic accumulator.
> It grows well with corn, onions, pepper and eggplant.  It helps tomatoes
>   to be more resistant to harmful insects and also helps potatoes yield
> more abundantly.  It also helps loosen soil for root vegetables such as
> beets, carrots and radishes.  Since it is a weedy species, harvest it
> and keep it thinned.  It happens to produce both edible leaves and
> seeds."
>
> http://www.wildernesscollege.com/garden-companion-planting.html

Are you talking about the redroot pigweed with sharp spines all over the 
branching? There is another common (weed) amaranth that grows even 
taller and with more foliage and large amounts of seeds but no spines at 
all. The leaves are thicker and tougher than rr pigweed and lambs 
quarters. I always assumed this plant would produce seeds like quinoa an 
could be used for the same purposes in the kitchen, though I have never 
tried it. There is foxtail or wild millet too. Sesame and buckwheat are 
easily grown.