How to Grow Quinoa: Planting, Spacing, Care & Harvest

Quick answer

Direct sow close to the average last spring frost / as soon as soil can be worked (USU). WSU early spring. Heat above about 95°F at flowering can prevent seed set (USU).

Quinoa at a glance

PlantDirect sow: last frost
SunFull sun; well-prepared seedbed.
SpacingWSU: sow about ½ inch deep; thin 2 weeks after emergence to 3–5 inches.
Days to harvest~120 days planting to harvest (USU)
-3-2-1LF+1+2+3
■ Start indoors   ■ Plant out   ■ Harvest
Weeks relative to last frost (LF). Colored weeks show when our ZIP planner schedules each step.
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Planting dates for your ZIP: the ZIP planting planner counts each window from your local frost dates.

Organic pests and diseases: see also organic pest control. Use any product as the label directs.

Cool-season grain: plant early; delaying seeding loses yield. Not a warm-season corn/bean crop.

Quinoa plants
Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa). Photo: Philipp, Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (resized).

Planting timing

USU Extension: “Plant as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring, ideally close to the average last spring frost. Most available quinoa varieties can withstand light frosts after emergence.” About 120 days planting to harvest. Heat above about 95°F at flowering can prevent seed set. (USU quinoa) WSU FS258E: time of planting early spring; sow as soon as seedbed can be prepared; germ about 36–68°F. Two-leaf plants can withstand 25°F; flowering plants at 25°F or below can lose yield dramatically. (WSU FS258E)

Depth and spacing

WSU: sow about ½ inch deep; thin 2 weeks after emergence to 3–5 inches.

Sun, soil and water

Full sun; well-prepared seedbed. Cool weather favors seed set.

Care

Weed early — quinoa starts slowly. Avoid heat stress at flowering.

Harvest

About 120 days to harvest (USU). Seed heads dry when mature.

Pests and diseases

Cultural weed control first; few dedicated home-garden pest pages required beyond that.

Related: all grow guides · ZIP planner · organic pest control

Frequently asked questions

When do I sow?

Close to last spring frost / early spring as soil works (USU/WSU).

Frost OK?

Light frost after emergence OK (USU); flowering plants hate hard freezes (WSU).

Heat problem?

Yes — above ~95°F at flowering can prevent seed set (USU).

More grow guides: All grow guides

Sources