Detailed Explanation of the Latest Planting Methods and Technical Key Points for Lambsquarters
Actually, we do not know much about lambsquarters, so many people are unaware that there is such a vegetable as lambsquarters. Lambsquarters is a wild plant with extremely strong adaptability to the environment and can be seen everywhere in rural areas. The main part used is its newly grown tender leaves. It has a unique taste and can also help prevent anemia, promote growth and development, and have a calcium-supplementing effect. So today, the editor will briefly introduce the planting methods for lambsquarters.
1. Land preparation and fertilization
Because lambsquarters has very strong vitality, it has no great requirements for the planting site. It can even be grown in a small pot on a home balcony. However, in order for lambsquarters to grow better, when conditions allow, it is best to choose a plot with relatively fertile soil, convenient irrigation, and deep soil layers for planting. During land preparation, a slight deep plowing is enough, but it is best to ensure the land is level. Finally, apply farmyard manure evenly according to an average fertilizer requirement of about 5,000 jin per mu.
2. Seed treatment
Lambsquarters grows and reproduces relatively quickly, so we usually use seed sowing. However, before planting, we need to first give the seeds a simple treatment. First, use a fine sieve to sift out impurities from the seeds, then put the seeds into clean water. After one hour, remove the seeds floating on the water surface. The seeds that sink to the bottom are relatively high-quality seeds. At this point, we can prepare to sow.
3. Sowing methods
The two most commonly used methods for planting lambsquarters are broadcast sowing and drill sowing. Broadcast sowing means evenly scattering the seeds over the prepared land, then watering all the soil once, and finally pressing the seeds into the soil and waiting for seedlings to emerge. For drill sowing, we need to make furrows at a spacing of about 20 cm between each row, with each furrow about 10 cm wide and about 5 cm deep, then evenly scatter the seeds into the furrows, cover them with about 3 cm of thin soil, and finally water the sown area thoroughly. Among these, drill sowing is more convenient for later field operations, so the editor suggests using drill sowing.
4. Field management
After sowing, seedlings will emerge in about five or six days. Because lambsquarters has strong resistance, there are basically no pests or diseases. Secondly, if sufficient base fertilizer has been applied, generally no later topdressing is needed either. It is only necessary to do a good job in water management and field weeding management. First, we need to inspect the seedlings in the field, then promptly thin and fill in seedlings. After filling in seedlings, water them to ensure they survive. Secondly, about ten days after transplanting, carry out weeding. At this time, we can use intertillage, which can both reduce nutrient loss and promote the growth of lambsquarters. Also, if the lambsquarters leaves are yellow, that is a sign of malnutrition, so apply an appropriate amount of trace-element fertilizer. Finally, pay attention to drainage, timely irrigation, and later weeding, which should mainly be manual pulling of weeds.
5. Timely harvesting
Lambsquarters can be harvested multiple times. The first harvest is generally carried out when lambsquarters has grown to about 8 to 10 cm, because if it continues to grow it becomes relatively old and the taste will not be very good by then. Next, note that if sufficient base fertilizer has been applied, then after the third harvest, each harvest will require topdressing with an appropriate amount of urea. But if the base fertilizer is insufficient, then fertilization is needed after the first harvest. Under normal circumstances, it can be harvested about once every half month.