Update on the Chia Plants

I am a happy gal! They flowered and it is a beautiful sight. These dainty little blue flowers poking out from the greens. So far I have scattered Chia plants everywhere in the garden and they truly are worthy of the precious real estate; even if I haven't eaten them yet.

I planted a row of seeds in early spring and it has taken them 3 months to flower. The big surprise was the plants that was in shade grew bigger and greener and stronger. However the plant in full sunlight were the first to flower. Not sure what the difference in seed will be like but if we were planting it just for the seed, I would go straight for direct sunlight.

Do not overwater them. We had a few that had poor drainage and it died. Infact the once we left alone, ie poor soil, hardly watered are looking very strong. It's a shame that it's leaves are not used as a vegetable because they truly are quick growing and easy to grow.

Chia Seeds

The seeds of this wonderful plant is so IN right now. And it deserves to be such a star.

Chia seeds contain 5 times more calcium than milk, one of the highest known source of Essential Fatty Acid. It is high in protein, high in magnesium  potassium, amino acid, vitamin C. Basically anything really good for you, it has it.

What I like most about the seed is it actually taste good. The seed has a nutty flavour with no unpleasant aroma like many healthy things. A few teaspoons snuck into cereals, bread, soup, eggs, drinks... basically anything and for the fussiest eaters it would go down unnoticed.

My little one actually loves this dissolved in water. The seed has a mucilaginous property, making the outside shell of the seed swell  like jelly when it comes into contact with water. The same gel-like property causes a slow conversion of carbohydrates, making a great diet food. In fact one tablespoon of this super seed can sustain a person with enough energy for 24 hours of hard labour. How's that for super food!

This year I am trying to grow this all over the garden. It has to be one of the easiest seeds to germinate. Soak them in water and chuck them in sun (I did this in early spring) and it just grows -  so effortless it is hard to imagine a plant so good for you can be this easy to grow.

This year I have them everywhere and I mean everywhere. I planted some under the deck which gets alot of sun, scattered all around the garden, some kept in pots, others in full sunlight, some in shade. So far I've noticed the ones that grow in partial shade grew alot quicker. It doesn't like to be overwatered or it will rot. And it doesn't really care what kind of soil you grow it on, it will grow in very bad clay soil, rocky soil or good compost. The biggest plant in my garden gets some filtered light. It also grew from a clump of plants. The weak ones just died on it's own while the giant took over and sucked up all the nutrients. Survival of the fittest!

I can't wait to see it flower, it will be a happy day when the rows of chia under my deck start flowering!