Wheat raising question.

[Terri]

I got about 2 cups full of wheat seeds for free. and they are intended to be sprouted.

I do not want wheat sprouts, I want cracked wheat to add to my bread. To that end, I would like to grow some of this seed in my garden.

If I make a double row of wheat in my vegetable garden, how far apart do you think I should space the seeds? My soil is nothing special, just about average, and rather heavy. (Most midwestern soil has a lot of clay, but, it grows good grain anyways!)

[sammyd]

You could just broadcast it in whatever area you plan on using. Then rake lightly to cover a bit.
Even using a grain drill there is no set spacing in the rows like corn.

[rambler]

Wheat grows well just scattered & lightly covered with soil, like grass seed. You can cover it a tad more, like an inch or so, 1/2 inch could be enough.

One would plant 2 bu - 120 lbs - per acre, I don't know how that will equate to a pint of wheat, but it won't cover much ground.

--->Paul

[Old Vet]

Broadcasting is the best way to plaint wheat. You should have planted it during the fall and let it grow all winter long but you can plaint it now but you will not get the same yield as fall planted wheat.

[rambler]

Originally Posted by Old Vet

Broadcasting is the best way to plaint wheat. You should have planted it during the fall and let it grow all winter long but you can plaint it now but you will not get the same yield as fall planted wheat.

Hadn't thought about that - here is is almost 100% spring wheat, but many areas are almost 100% winter wheat. The winter stuff should be planted in fall, the spring types should be planted in early early spring.

No harm to try it now in spring tho for a little bit like this.

--->Paul

[Harry Chickpea]

Won't do much. Planted some last year like that as a green manure. By midsummer it was less than knee high and already dying out. It did make a good green manure though, since I didn't have to worry about it reseeding.

[Terri]

Well it has "Spring wheat" on the label of the packages.

This *IS* a winter wheat area: I will just have to plant some and see!

[paintlady]

Spring wheat is grown in summer and is hard wheat used for making bread. Are you using it as a green manure?

[wwubben]

You can plant it in rows.You could buy more seed from a seed house and broadcast a larger area.

[DaleK]

I'd plant it in a patch rather than rows for that small an amount. If you just have two rows I think the plants will be too exposed to the wind, etc. I'd try planting them on about a 3"x3" grid pattern since you have so few seeds.

[Terri]

Originally Posted by paintlady

Spring wheat is grown in summer and is hard wheat used for making bread. Are you using it as a green manure?

No, I want to raise wheat for cracked-wheat bread. I put the wheat in a blender with water, and turn it on until it is sufficiently fine.

What I have in the seed packets will only make a couple of loaves, but, if I grow some in the garden I should have wheat in the fall.

[geo in mi]

What the hey. I would smooth out a row the width of a rake and scatter the seeds about an inch or so apart--that would allow room for each root to spread out. The row would stop when I ran out of seeds. Then I would "chop" them in with a hoe to about an inch deep, then pack the soil with the rake. Then add water and sunlight. Who knows? Might get four cups back, maybe six or eight.
Then next year, I would get a Johnnies Seed Catalog and do some research. They have grain seeds for sale, and you might find what you want.

[Terri]

Originally Posted by DaleK

I'd plant it in a patch rather than rows for that small an amount. If you just have two rows I think the plants will be too exposed to the wind, etc. I'd try planting them on about a 3"x3" grid pattern since you have so few seeds.

I have decided to run a row of wheat next to the daffodils: I have a row of them in the garden for cutting flowers. As the foliage of the daffodils die back, the wheat can take over. And, as it is windy in Kansas in the spring, the daffodils should protect the wheat while it is little.

I might try the solid block as well: I have too many seeds for just one 50' row.

[DaleK]

Yep the daffodils might give a row enough shelter to keep going. If you have any kind of good luck you should get back at least 20 times as much as you plant.

[paintlady]

If you are growing it for bread then you will have to have a way to dehull it.

[Old Vet]

As soon as it begins to stool you need to fertilize it with Ammonium Nitrate. About 100 lbs per acre. Then step back and let it grow.

[insocal]

Originally Posted by paintlady

If you are growing it for bread then you will have to have a way to dehull it.

Wheat doesn't need to be dehulled like oats or barley. It DOES need to be threshed, which is easily done by hand on a small scale.

I planted a small plot of hard red winter wheat in my Los Angeles backyard a few years ago. I harvested, threshed, and winnowed it by hand, and had FUN doing it. Got enough nice wheat to make a couple loaves of whole wheat bread (I have a Country Living grain mill).

[myheaven]

Originally Posted by Old Vet

As soon as it begins to stool you need to fertilize it with Ammonium Nitrate. About 100 lbs per acre. Then step back and let it grow.

Old vet at what stage is "stool"? For all of us who dont know wheat growing terms and stages.

[Old Vet]

Originally Posted by myheaven

Old vet at what stage is "stool"? For all of us who dont know wheat growing terms and stages.

It is when the head begins to grow up the stalk. Cut one open and when you see the head that is what is called stooling. Either that or look for a joint near the bottom of the stalk and do your thing then.

[myheaven]

Ok. see you just tought me something new.