In Morelos state, growers seed directly in a line on top of a layer of manure or drop seeds one stride apart. In both systems plants are thinned to 30-36 cm between plants and 60 to 100 cm between rows about 20 days after sowing. Farmers select seeds by species, color, and yield. About 15 days after the initial application, plants are fertilized again. Plants are harvested with a sickle and the dried seeds sifted through an ayate, a maguey fiber cloth or metal screen.
Peasants store the seeds in sacks for up to ten years.
Before sowing, the land is plowed to remove large clods. Often a ritual offering of alcohol is made to the land. Many peasants do not fertilize before sowing, while others sow amaranth in naturally fertile areas in the field. Some leave cows in the field to fertilize with manure. Others spread a line of manure as in Mexico and sow the seeds on top.