How to grow Quinoa in Australia
Sow in full sun in well drained soil of modest fertility, as it tolerates poor, dry ground. Water moderately while young, then it handles dry conditions well.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 4 litres a week, watered every 3 days
- Spacing: 30 cm
- Time to harvest: 120 days
- Time to germinate: 7 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 8
- Frost tolerance: Half hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | September to November | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to November | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | September to November | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | October to December | Sow Oct to Dec after frost. Shorter season than SEQ. |
| Adelaide & SA | August and September | Sow Aug to Sep so plants flower before days pass 35C, which stops seed setting. Seedlings take light frost; harvest in early summer. |
| Perth & WA | May to August | Grow it as a winter crop: sow May to Aug on the frost free plain so it flowers before the heat. Days above 35C stop seed setting. |
| Tasmania | October and November | Sow Oct to Nov. Quinoa comes from the high Andes and handles cool summers well. Harvest before autumn rain. |
| Canberra & ACT | November and December | Narrow window. Sow after frost risk passes. |
| North Queensland | April to July | Dry season crop. Sow Apr to Jul so seed heads ripen in dry weather; rain on a ripe head makes the grain sprout. |
| Darwin & Top End | April to July | Dry season crop. Sow Apr to Jul so seed heads ripen in dry weather; rain on a ripe head makes the grain sprout. |
Varieties
- Red Head
- Cherry Vanilla
Companion planting
Good companions
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Ready when leaves drop and seed heads dry to brown, with seeds that no longer dent under a fingernail. Cut the heads, dry fully, then rub to thresh the seed.
Storage
Dried seed stores for years in a sealed container. Rinse saponins before cooking.