Andrew McMillion on Amaranth: A Permaculture Powerhouse
By Sustainable World Radio
TL;DR: The Amaranth family offers resilient, low-maintenance food options, ideal for extending harvest seasons and practicing seed saving.
- Amaranths provide food for up to nine months annually.
- Many common "weeds" are edible and valuable permaculture plants.
- Orach, Mountain Spinach, and Strawberry Spinach are versatile Amaranth relatives.
- The Amaranth family is excellent for beginner seed savers.
Why it matters: Integrating diverse Amaranth relatives into your garden can enhance food security and biodiversity, reducing maintenance while increasing edible yields.
Do this next: Explore local varieties of Amaranth relatives that thrive in your area and consider their use as extended-season food sources.
Recommended for: Gardeners, permaculture enthusiasts, and aspiring seed savers looking for resilient and productive plant options.
The Amaranth family, a diverse and resilient group of plants, offers significant benefits for gardeners and permaculture enthusiasts, as highlighted by farmer and seed saver Andrew McMillion. This plant family is notable for its low-maintenance characteristics and its ability to provide food for an extended period, potentially up to nine months of the year, depending on the specific varieties cultivated.
McMillion, who operates a small farm in Norway and is actively involved with the Norwegian Seed Savers, emphasizes the historical significance of Amaranth and its various relatives. He advocates for a practice he terms "sowing your weeds," suggesting that many plants often dismissed as weeds possess valuable qualities, including edibility and resilience. This perspective encourages a re-evaluation of common garden plants and an appreciation for their ecological and nutritional contributions.
Among the specific members of the Amaranth family that McMillion finds particularly compelling are Orach (Atriplex hortensis), Caucasian Mountain Spinach (Hablitzia tamnoides), Syrian Medieval Chard, and Strawberry Spinach (Blitum capitatum). Each of these plants offers unique attributes, contributing to the overall versatility and appeal of the family. Orach, for instance, is known for its vibrant colors and edible leaves, while Caucasian Mountain Spinach is a perennial vine that can provide greens over many years. Syrian Medieval Chard represents a historical variety with potential for culinary use, and Strawberry Spinach is recognized for its edible leaves and small, berry-like fruits.
A key advantage of the Amaranth family, according to McMillion, is its suitability for seed saving, particularly for those new to the practice. He describes Amaranth as an excellent entry point for "apprentice seed savers" due to its relatively straightforward seed production. This accessibility makes it an ideal choice for individuals looking to develop skills in seed preservation and contribute to biodiversity.
The adaptability of the Amaranth family is another crucial point. There are varieties suited to nearly every climate, making it a globally relevant plant group for food production. However, McMillion also offers a cautionary note: many members of the Amaranth family are prolific self-seeders. While this can be beneficial for natural propagation and reducing gardening effort, it also means that some varieties have the potential to become invasive if not managed appropriately. This characteristic necessitates careful observation and management to prevent unintended spread in a garden or ecosystem.
McMillion's work extends beyond his personal farm; he is a Board Member and guild leader for several guilds within the Norwegian Seed Savers organization. This involvement underscores his commitment to preserving plant diversity and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. His insights into the Amaranth family provide valuable information for anyone interested in resilient food systems, seed saving, and exploring the often-overlooked potential of diverse plant species.