If you are a person unable to eat rice, and may be on a high protein diet, Cathy Isom lets you know about a popular grain you can grow in your garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.
Quinoa is a pseudo-grain that is high in protein that has taken the world by storm. More people are turning to quinoa rather than rice in dishes because of its high protein, high fiber, gluten-free content. You might notice that it’s not as cheap as other grains. The higher cost is because it’s valued for its protein content, and the higher demand leads to an increased price. That’s why many gardeners want to learn how to succeed at growing quinoa at home. And, it’s easier than you might think.
Interestingly, even though quinoa is considered a grain, it doesn’t belong to the same family as other grains, such as wheat or oats. It’s related to spinach. Before going to seed, the flowers turn a lovely shade of red or purple, so it can act as an ornamental plant that adds height to your garden, as well.
Quinoa comes in several varieties. Some develop into different colors, and some are more ornamental than others. Some grow best where summer temperatures don’t go above 95? in June when the plants start to flower. Mature quinoa can handle some frost but a freeze during the flowering period can render it sterile. Quinoa needs full sun to grow properly but some shade during the hottest part of the day is ideal.
I’m Cathy Isom…