Amaranth Seeds,
Juana's Orange

Start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your last frost date or sow directly outdoors when soil is warm and danger of frost has passed. This variety thrives during the warmest months. If you’re not sure how to find your first and last frost dates, consult our blog post Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources.

• Amaranth is a warm-weather crop that needs soil temperatures of 65-75 F to germinate.
• Surface sow seeds directly in the garden and cover with a very fine layer of soil.
• Seeds germinate in 3-4 days.
• Thin seedlings to 18 inches apart.

• Amaranth grows best in moist, well-drained soil, but it will tolerate poor soil quality and drought.
• Amaranth thrives in full sun and will grow to be 5 to 8 feet tall in ideal conditions.
• Can be planted in rows or used as a natural trellis for beans or used in place of corn in a Three Sisters garden.
• Harvest when you can gently shake seeds from the flower stalk.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Keep up with weeding around young seedlings. Once plants become well established, they will be able to outcompete weeds.
• Flea beetles can be a nuisance to amaranth when seedlings are young and tender; try covering seedlings with floating row cover until plants have reached 2 feet tall and can better handle insect damage.
• For extreme flea beetle infestations, apply diatomaceous earth or kaolin.

• Allow seed heads to dry completely on the plant
• Clip and store heads in a dry, well-ventilated space, or in a paper bag indoors
• Rub seed heads gently to release seeds
• Use a fine screen or winnow to remove chaff
• Store seeds in a cool, dry location for future planting