Norann Oleson, Editorial Director of Food Gardening Network

You’ll love growing your own quinoa!

While virtually unknown to gardeners at the turn of the 21st century, quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) has become a popular addition to menus and home gardens alike. Quinoa appeals to most every gardener’s wish list: the strikingly colorful plant is easy to grow and harvest, can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, and naturally repels pests. That’s why we’ve prepared this all-in-one guide for you about growing, harvesting, and eating—with some easy-to-prepare and tasty recipes—your own home-grown quinoa.

In this collection’s Introduction, you’ll first learn some history and basics about quinoa—to get you ready for growing your own. Then, in the Feature Articles, you’ll get specifics about quinoa gardening—from types of plants and soil preparation to watering, weeding, and controlling and preventing disease.

If you’re already an advanced quinoa and food gardener, some of this may be refresher content for you. But, stick with it, because you’re certain to learn something new, especially when it comes to the history of quinoa and the recipes!

In Plant Profiles, you’ll learn about six popular varieties of quinoa plants, so you’ll have specific details about the characteristics and best uses for each particular variety of quinoa.

While there are more than 120 varieties of quinoa plants, we’ve chosen these six plant profiles because they are some of the most commonly grown. If you’d like us to include another quinoa variety that appeals to you, please let me know by commenting below.

We are, after all, a network of food gardeners—for and by fellow food gardeners—who want to enjoy all the benefits of growing our own delicious food at home!

One of the things that makes Food Gardening Network unique is the assortment of super easy and delicious Recipes, so that you can enjoy the fruits of your gardening labor. Quinoa is no exception!

More and more people are eating a plant-based diet, and tasty, nutritious, quinoa fits right in, offering high-protein, gluten-free fiber and texture to any meal of the day. The quinoa recipes in this collection include uses for salads, bowls, main dishes, sides, and even breakfast! You will be sure to delight everyone at your table when you prepare quinoa any of these ways, and these dishes will become staples in your household. Enjoy your quinoa harvest with these tasty recipes, and your family and friends will appreciate all of your quinoa gardening efforts!

Next, you’ll learn Nutrition Facts about Quinoa to find out exactly which nutrients are found in quinoa—and to what degree—and the most common compounds. Home Remedies & Health Benefits of Quinoa will help you learn about how key nutrients in quinoa can help control blood sugar and maintain, or even lose, weight. You’ll also learn all about other benefits and uses for quinoa, besides just enjoying their wholesome deliciousness.

To help you explore the captivating culture of quinoa even further, we’ve included a Resources section that is complementary to this collection. We aim to give you everything you need to grow, harvest, and eat delicious quinoa, but feel free to take a deeper dive into these additional resources by visiting the links provided.

Finally, you’ll find a brief Glossary at the end of this collection in case you need a fuller explanation of any key terms and concepts.

Now, let’s start growing quinoa!