Growing Quinoa in Your Home Garden

Quinoa is a high-protein, lower carbohydrate substitute for rice. It is popular with vegetarians because it allows them to satisfy their protein and nutrition needs without resorting to meat or dairy. Quinoa is very versatile and can be grown in almost any climate. Newer varieties of quinoa have been developed in recent years that are able to survive in both cold temperatures and wet areas.

Growing quinoa in your home garden: Types of quinoa plants

You can grow quite a bit of quinoa with only a small quantity of seed. The varieties of quinoa grain with looser seed heads work best in moderate climates. The seeds themselves have a thin film of saponins to repel birds and other animals that might eat them. This coating must be washed off the grain before it is suitable for eating. The built-in repellent makes quinoa a good choice for gardens that tend to attract birds.

Growing quinoa in your home garden: How to plant

To grow quinoa grain from seed in your home vegetable garden, plant the seeds under a light cover of soil, leaving approximately 50 centimeters between each plant. You can use individual pots or seed trays to plant your quinoa. The best time of year to start planting quinoa is the spring, but you may have more flexibility if you live in an area that is not too hot in the summer.

Growing quinoa in your home garden: Harvesting the seeds

Your quinoa crop will be ready for harvesting when the seeds can be rubbed off of the seed heads. To harvest quinoa, snip the stalk with a pair of garden shears, cutting it right below the seed head. Dry the quinoa by hanging the seed bunches upside down in a cool, dry area. Before eating the quinoa seed, the saponin coating must be washed off. Soak the quinoa seed in a bucket of cold water and let it sit for a few hours. Remove the quinoa and thoroughly rinse it off with fresh water. If you can still taste a soapy residue, repeat the soaking and rinsing process again.

Growing quinoa in your home garden: Threshing the grain

Quinoa grain is far easier to thresh than wheat, which is yet another reason it is such a good choice for the home gardener. Threshing and winnowing your entire quinoa crop can be done by hand without any expensive machinery. Simply beat the seed heads until the seeds fall down into a bucket. Then you can run the quinoa seed through a garden sieve with loose mesh and use the wind to winnow out any stray leaf or stem material.