Growing Quinoa

Quinoa is a wonderful grain crop for the Rockies. Originating in the West Andes of South America (mostly Peru and Bolivia), it prefers temperatures under 90 degrees and particularly loves cool nights. The San Luis Valley in Colorado has the most quinoa production in North America, thanks to the pioneering efforts of the New family’s White Mountain Farm in Mosca, beginning in the 1980’s. In the right conditions, quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) is as easy to grow as its wild relatives, pigweed and lamb’s quarters, and it will cross with these plants. If you intend to save seed, keep the weeds under control. Quinoa can germinate incredibly fast, in 24 hours to 5 days, but not if the soil is too warm. It’s usually planted in April or May when soil is still cool (around 60 degrees), but if your soil is too hot you can refrigerate the seed before planting to help with germination. Hot temperatures can also reduce pollen viability on quinoa and reduce yields. Known as the “Mother Grain” by the ancient Incas, it can grow in poor soils, can handle light frost, and can make it with only 10″ of rain. The seed-heads are stunningly beautiful and come in many colors. It can grow 4′-9′ tall, depending on water and conditions. It will grow bigger with richer soil and more water. High in protein, quinoa is actually a seed. The seed or ‘grain’ is covered in saponin and if not rinsed before cooking it will taste bitter. Rinse until the water is clear and no longer soapy. Commercially sold Quinoa is already rinsed or dry polished so you can skip that step. The seed is ready to harvest when leaves dry up and fall off, and the seed-heads turn their sunset colors. -J ySY Gan FarIly HInX XLI WIIH [iXL ySYr ½ngIrnail iX is ready. Seeds will strip easily off the plants; you can bend them over and rub the seed-heads right into a bucket. It’s easy to clean quinoa seed by hand using screens and winnowing. Continue drying the threshed seed completely before storing in an airtight container. Although it is said that deer don’t like the bitter saponin on the seeds, they adore the plants, leaves, anH ¾S[IrW WS FI WYrI XS WLYX XLI gaXI – WpIaO JrSQ