Planting Guide and Seed Saving Notes for Lambsquarters

Lambsquarters (Chenopodium gigantium)

A beautiful wild edible plant related to spinach, this often misunderstood edible green provides an array of vitamins and nutrients.

Nutrients: Iron, Vitamin A, C, B1 and B2.

How to Grow Lambsquarters from Seed

Bed Preparation

Lambsquarters is a cool season plant that prefers moist, well-drained soil high in nitrogen. Choose a site with full sun for planting.

Planting

Easy-to-grow by direct seed from spring through fall. Plant in spring and harvest early for best taste, however Lambsquarters can be grown throughout the summer. Plant in 2-4 week successions to ensure continual harvest.

Harvest

Begin harvesting when plants are 6-8" tall, especially the delicate tips. During the hot summer months, Lambsquarter will go to seed more quickly and will need to be harvested frequently. Seed can also be used as a grain and ground into flour similarly to Quinoa. 

How to save Lambsquarters Seed

Will readily re-seed if given the chance. Hot temperatures and long days will trigger flowering in Lambsquarters. Allow spring crop to flower and set seed. Seed is ready to harvest when the flowers have dried brown and seeds are black.