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Organic Gardening - Seeds and Seedlings

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The Global Garden: Amaranth, a crimson tide of seeds

18.05.12

Like quinoa, amaranth is one of the “lost crops” of the Americas. Before the arrival of the Conquistadors, the tall annual with the large crimson seed heads was a staple for the Aztecs, the Incas, the Hopi. Because of its association with indigenous rituals, however, the Spanish prohibited any domestic cultivation of the crop.

In some local community gardens, a similar injunction is in force but for different reasons. Some wild species are called pigweed and are considered to be invasive; the seeds scatter easily and require little attention (or water) to grow.

However, some gardeners consider this weed to be a good companion plant with corn, potatoes and onion. Birds come for the seeds, and beneficial ground beetles nest at the foot of the plant, feeding on pests, including slugs. Amaranth also is known to break up compacted soil and trap leaf miners, insects that can damage crop foliage.

Source: Los Angeles Times

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gardening seeds - News


Heirloom seeds yield great results — and save money
The Keene Sentinel - Jun 12, 2011
They are favorite seeds saved from generation to generation. Old-time gardeners practiced saving seeds for years. When the plants grow, they are always the same, no variation. The vegetable seeds have great flavor. Do you remember biting into a juicy

Grow your own takeaway... (spare ribs not included)
Daily Mail - Jun 13, 2011
Grow your own takeaway... (spare ribs not included) Garden centres and DIY stores have a wide selection of seeds, but for even more choice try vegetable specialists or browse the catalogues sent out by seed companies. Perhaps the easiest oriental vegetables to grow are those raised for their leaves.

Giving Garden plants seeds of hope for all
Cleveland Daily Banner - Jun 09, 2011
by JOYANNA WEBER, Banner Staff Writer An effort to reach out to the community started with a simple seed for the Broad Street United Methodist Church's Giving Garden. The community garden started with an idea by church member Allen Clark.

Smiles sure to abound with sunflowers around
Victoria Times Colonist - Jun 11, 2011
It's the Sunflower Garden Seed Collection from The Gardener's Workshop, an online gardening catalogue for cut-flower seeds and herbs and gardening tools, based in southeastern Virginia. "You can use the collection for a cutting garden or leave the

Red Bluff Garden Club: Growing annuals from seed
Red Bluff Daily News - Jun 09, 2011
So get some seed catalogs, visit the local garden center, and start performing your own gardening miracles with the easiest plants on earth. Virtually all annuals are raised by sowing seeds, either in the early spring under cover, or directly into