I always let them grow when I see them (or I transplant them to a part of the farm where they won't mess with another crop). We got these seeds from Wild Garden Seeds, but it's already an occasional weed at the EFN farm in Elmer because we once transplanted a few plants from Roughwood (William Woys Weaver's house). This plant will naturalize if given half a chance, but as weeds go it's a pretty good one to have around. Like quinoa, they are coated in bitter saponins so should be washed (or soaked and washed) repeatedly before cooking. The seeds are also edible, like a tinier form of quinoa. It should only be eaten raw in moderation. Like its relatives, it does contain oxalic acid and saponins, but these break down in cooking, so it's safe to eat plenty of it cooked. But unlike spinach, it thrives in hot weather, so will produce greens for you all summer long.

The shoots and leaves of this plant are as delicious as spinach, and with a very similar flavor. It's said coined the word 'spreen' as an alternative to the gun-invoking 'shoot'! Alan 'Mushroom' Kapuler through his Peace Seeds around 1983. It was introduced to commerce here in the US by Dr. This species of goosefoot, which can grow to almost ten feet tall, comes from Asia, but it has naturalized in many other countries including France and the US. The naturally powdered surface of the leaves also lends an iridescence that makes it even more magical. Magenta spreen, on the other hand, has such vivid neon magenta-pink coloration it almost looks fake. Sure, the closely related quinoas and kañiwas of South America come in a range of neon colors, but most of them are poorly adapted to most of North America. This is hands-down the most beautiful lamb's quarters (or goosefoot) adapted to North America. Origin: Unknown, via France, via Corvallis, Oregon

Dr. allan spreen products