Organic Broomcorn Sorghum
Organic 'Amish Broomcorn' sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) from seed producer Gaia, a giant ornamental and utilitarian plant with flamboyant colours and ancestral uses
'Amish Broomcorn' sorghum is a spectacular plant that transforms the garden into a veritable living architecture. Its slender stems, reaching 3 to 4.5 meters (10 to 14 feet) , are topped with large panicles of red, orange, and almost black seeds that glow in the sunlight. Historically cultivated by Amish communities for the traditional craft of brooms, it remains a versatile plant: its dried panicles are used for traditional brooms , autumn decorations , and floral arrangements , and its seeds feed birds and poultry.
Robust, productive and profoundly utilitarian, it is a champion of heritage gardens and craft projects.
Did you know that
Broomcorn revolutionized broom making as early as the 18th century. Before it, brooms were made of ineffective twigs or branches. Legend has it that a farmer, Levi Dickinson, created the first modern broom using a long-petaled, flexible sorghum he grew on his farm. His broom became so popular that broomcorn cultivation spread throughout the eastern United States.
Even today, artisans who make hand-woven brooms prefer this plant to any other, because its fibers are naturally soft, strong, and dust-resistant .
Companion plants : Corn, sunflower, climbing bean, cosmos, amaranth
Negative plants : Avoid proximity to crops with high nitrogen requirements
Spread/Carry : Upright, very tall
Plant height : 300 to 450 cm
Quantity per packet : 50 seeds
Certification : Environmentally friendly product
Special features : Colourful panicle, used for crafts (brooms), autumn decoration, attracts birds and poultry
Panicle color : Red, black, orange
Type of use : Crafts, ornament, birdseed
Farming method
Sow directly outdoors, in clusters of 4 seeds , after the soil has warmed up. Each cluster will produce approximately three uniform stems . For grain production, sow one seed every 10 cm (4") in rows spaced 75 cm (30") apart.
You can also start growing indoors 2 weeks before planting .
Sow the seeds 6 mm (1/4") deep in full sun ( level 3 ) with moderate watering ( level 2 ). Germination occurs in 4 to 10 days at 15–35 °C (optimal: 20 °C).
Harvesting and preservation
Harvest the panicles when the seeds are hard, shiny, and well-colored . Cut the head, leaving a small segment of stem, then let it dry for at least a week in a warm, dry, and well-ventilated place.
To extract the seeds, rub the dried panicles over a metal sieve or screen.
Store the seeds in an airtight bag in the refrigerator .
Usage ideas
• Make authentic traditional Amish brooms
• Create autumn arrangements , wreaths, rustic bouquets
• Feeding chickens, wild birds or aviary birds
• Decorate vegetable or permaculture gardens with giant stems
• Perfect for craft or educational projects
'Amish Broomcorn' sorghum is a majestic and useful plant, a living link to ancient skills. Tall, colorful, productive and versatile, it inspires both creativity and admiration.
