planting quinoa seeds Quinoa Mix

planting quinoa seeds Quinoa MixChenopodium quinoa This plant is a double whammy! Grow Quinoa as an ornamental for its stunning blooms and then harvest the seeds for a shelf stable superfood! Quinoa is grown as a staple food crop by many cultures of South America, mainly within the Andes Mountains which span the entire continent. The domestication of the plant dates back an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 years ago! To learn more about the history of this amazing plant, visit the Food and

Chenopodium quinoa

This plant is a double-whammy! Grow Quinoa as an ornamental for its stunning blooms and then harvest the seeds for a shelf-stable superfood!

Quinoa is grown as a staple food crop by many cultures of South America, mainly within the Andes Mountains which span the entire continent. The domestication of the plant dates back an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 years ago! To learn more about the history of this amazing plant, visit the Food and Agriculture Organization's website celebrating Quinoa and its relationship with people.

Our Quinoa mix began in 2017 from several open-pollinated varieties: Brightest Brilliant Rainbow (OSSI variety bred by Frank Morton), Cherry Vanilla (OSSI variety bred by Frank Morton), Faro, and Red Head (OSSI variety bred by Frank Morton). In 2019, our grower added in more Brightest Brilliant Rainbow from Grand Prismatic Seed in Salt Lake City, Utah as well as Quinoa received from Tesuque Pueblo Farm in New Mexico.

In 2017, all four original varieties in the mix were grown with low water input. The most drought-tolerant plants survived and their seeds have been saved into this mix. These lambsquarters relatives also make a showy ornamental plant, producing gorgeous, voluptuous flower heads in shades of pink, orange, and red, predominantly a lovely pink-burgundy, followed by rich, nutrient-dense seeds. Plants reach 3-5' tall.

Seeds grown by Affinity Farm in Moscow, Idaho.

OSSI-pledged by Frank Morton

200 seeds.

Directions: Direct seed after last frost. We recommend that you plant in a row if the weed "lamb's quarters" is also in your garden because they look very similar as young plants. Harvest seedheads when seeds have changed from green to a tan color. Allow seed heads to dry further by placing them head first into a paper bag. Once plant is fully dry, thresh and winnow chaff from the seeds.