Chenopodiums – Goosefoot
One of our local dog walks runs along the edge of farmer’s fields. There are few wildflowers along this agricultural route and the fields are regularly sown with oil seed rape, chemicals are sprayed on the crop. Last winter the farmer stored on one corner of his fields a vast pile of manure, muck, slurry, something dark. It was subsequently spread on the fields and the crop this year, wheat. Goosefoot, Grasses and Orache, have sprung up where the vast muck heap once stood.
I am linking in with Gail at Clay and Limestone for her monthly wildflower Wednesday meme. Please take a look at other wildflower contributors from across the globe.
Gardening Jules 
What an amazing sight! Not too many herbicide residues at least!
Yes, thanks Christina, that is a positive I had not considered, I had been trying to research the manure possibilities that could have led to such a show, but nothing conclusive yet.
Amazing autumn colours, and also amazing it was apparently accidental.
I think there are quite a few gardeners who would put in a lot of effort to get a show like that!
We have made extra trips to that field in the last couple of weeks as its so startling, our dog has been delighted too with the extra walks. 🙂
What an amazing sight! Who would have thought that display could come from a pile of manure?
I had the same thought and would love to know what in the manure! 🙂
Spectacular scene, but strange backdrop to why it’s there.
I would like to know too Susie, its a little frustrating, there are also some beautiful grasses running through here that I do not recognise, I am still researching!
Isn’ t it the same thing as quinoa? Maybe it was in the winter feed of the cattle. How lovely though.
Just looked that up! Thankyou so much Chloris, perhaps its being grown as a crop. My daughter eats it and reports its very expensive to buy. I have just read its harvested in September/October, which is why its still standing and the wheat has already been collected. Not technically a wildflower wednesday then. I had gone off on a tangent reading up on manure/slurries and all manners of poo.
Visually it was an interesting photo, but I can see how that it may have adversely affected your walk.
Its startling and we shall keep visiting to see what the farmer does next.
I would say that is quinoa, having grown it, and it does come in a wide range of colours. It look fabulous. It possibly was sown as a crop but it is odd that the grasses were allowed to grow with it. More UK farmers are growing bird seed mixes and maybe it was that as amaranths are probably part of good quality mixes.
Thank you, we walked past that site again today, the colours are duller now and its still standing, with the impending rain I had wondered if it would be harvested by now. Can I ask you about Quinoa, is that easy to grow at home?
yes quinoa is pretty easy to grow. I always start it in cell trays, sowing two or three seeds per cell and thinning them but you cold sow it direct. It does look worryingly like fat hen at first. The main trouble with growing it is that wet weather about now will break the heads and can cause the seeds to grow while still attached. But it is possiible. Then there is the problem of processing after harvest. and you need to wash off the bitter saponins. It isnt as simple to grow and eat as beetroot but it is certainly possible and in Beds you are in a drier area (home for me is Cambs and I will be back there in 14 months) and you stand a good chance of success. I grew it here in Wexford last year and did get a small, usable crop to play with!
Thankyou, I had read about the need to remove the saponins, one suggested in a bag and then in a washing machine. My daughter eats it, so thought I would try and grow some here.
a muslin bag is a good idea because the seeds are so small but I am not sure about the washing machine – i would want more control than that – and imagine if the bag split and it all got rinsed away!
Good point, that would be infuriating!
I have never seen a show like this – amazing. Also thanks for following my blog.
Its not quite so colourful now Annette, we have had a lot of rain and its looking a little soggy and brown. No sign of it being harvested either. Looking forward to reading more of your posts. 🙂
The wildflower colours are stunning. But the photo itself is beautifully done, Julie.
Thank you very much Cynthia, thats kind of you say, I find a great deal of joy in studying and photographing plants of all types.