When Is the Best Time to Plant Amaranth? A Detailed Guide to Sowing Times
SummaryAmaranth can be planted in both spring and autumn. The open-field planting period is from late March to early August. Planting under plastic tunnels and small arched covers can be advanced by about 30 days. Different varieties can be planted at different times. Late February to late March: varieties such as pointed-leaf red rice amaranth and pointed-leaf flower red amaranth can be planted. Early April to late May: varieties such as red amaranth, Dahongpao, white rice amaranth and willow-leaf amaranth can be planted. Early June to early August: varieties such as red amaranth, white rice amaranth and willow-leaf amaranth can be planted.
I. Amaranth Planting Time
Amaranth can be planted in both spring and autumn. The open-field planting period is from late March to early August, while planting under plastic tunnels and small arched covers can be advanced by 20-30 days, so planting can begin in late February. Greenhouse planting can bring the crop to market about 30 days earlier. Apart from early spring planting, amaranth generally reaches the market about 35 days after planting.
II. Suitable Varieties for Different Periods
1. Late February to late March: varieties such as pointed-leaf red rice amaranth and pointed-leaf flower red amaranth.
2. Early April to late May: varieties such as red amaranth, Dahongpao, white rice amaranth and willow-leaf amaranth.
3. Early June to early August: varieties such as white rice amaranth, willow-leaf amaranth and red amaranth.
III. Amaranth Planting Methods
1. Land preparation and fertilization
(1) Amaranth has low soil requirements. It can be planted in flat, slightly alkaline soil that drains and irrigates easily and has few weeds. Amaranth seeds are quite small, so the soil needs to be plowed, leveled and made fine and soft.
(2) Amaranth is quite fond of fertilizer. Before plowing the soil, apply 3000 jin of high-quality decomposed human manure and urine per mu, then make beds or ridges. The sowing rate can be determined by the sowing period; the earlier the sowing period, the more seed is used. In early spring, the sowing rate is 8-10 jin per mu, and broadcasting or drilling can be used. After sowing, cover with 0.5-1cm of soil.
2. Topdressing and watering
After sowing in early spring, it takes about 7-12 days for the seedlings to emerge. The first topdressing can be done at the 3-5 leaf stage of amaranth, applying 20 jin of urea per mu. The second topdressing is done 12 days later. After the first harvest of amaranth, carry out the third topdressing. During this period, after each harvest, apply fertilizer once. Topdressing mainly uses nitrogen fertilizer. If quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer is applied, it can be combined with watering, but after spring sowing, water less.
3. Cultivation and pruning
During seedling growth, carry out cultivation and weeding in time to promote robust growth of amaranth. For amaranth harvested multiple times, pruning is also needed. After harvesting the main branch, keep 2-3 nodes at the base to promote the sprouting of side branches, thereby increasing yield.
4. Pest and disease control
Amaranth has relatively strong disease resistance. The common disease is white rust, which can be controlled with triadimefon or mancozeb. The common pest is aphids, which can be controlled with imidacloprid or pirimicarb.
5. Timely harvest
(1) Amaranth can be harvested in batches after one sowing. At the first harvest, thinning can be carried out at the same time. Generally, about 42 days after sowing, when the seedlings have grown to 10-12cm and have 5-6 leaves, continuous selective harvesting of plants can begin. The principle of harvesting the large and leaving the small, and keeping seedlings evenly spaced, helps increase later yield.
(2) After harvesting amaranth, topdress in time. Amaranth is generally eaten for its tender leaves, so it needs to be harvested in time; otherwise, the fiber increases and quality becomes poor. At harvest, the yield per mu can reach as high as 2000-3000 jin.