How to Grow Grain On a Farm or at Home

Grains are a staple food for many people around the world. They are nutritious and can be made a part of various dishes.

The good news is that most grains are not that difficult to grow, although they require a lot of sun and some maintenance.

If you own a farm, learning how to grow grain today will benefit you, your family and your community. If all you have is a backyard or a garden, you can still have fun growing grain with your family, but on a smaller scale.

1. Research the type of grain you want to grow

You should first decide which type of grain you want to grow and research plenty of information about it.

Are you interested in growing wheat, barley, amaranth, spelt, oats, or corn? Make your choice, and then learn everything you can about this grain.

Let’s pretend you want to grow wheat. After all, wheat is considered one of the easiest grains to grow, making it perfect for beginners. Wheat can grow fine in cool weather if it gets enough sunlight.

2. Get seeds

To grow wheat, you, of course, need wheat seeds. If you can’t find them in a local seed store, you should be able to order some online.

The size of the seed pack you need will depend on the size of the area you want to turn into your grain field. You will probably notice you can choose between winter wheat varieties and spring wheat.

Although it’s possible to buy new seeds each year, you can learn how to save seeds from the grain you have grown. On top of allowing you to save some money, this can make you feel even prouder of your grain crops.

3. Prepare the soil where you will grow grain

Once you have your seeds, you will need to prepare your soil. If possible, choose an area exposed to a lot of sunshine while also getting some moisture.

It’s a good idea to start by working your soil and smoothing it with a rake. If you are growing grain in a backyard or a garden, you can dig furrows with a shovel, then throw your wheat seeds in them by hand.

If you are growing a large wheat field, you should rent a tractor with the right attachment if you don’t have one. This machinery will make digging long trenches in your field easier and plant seeds.

4. Plant your seeds in early spring

If you got spring wheat seeds, you have to plant them in the early spring when the days are warm or in early summer. This will allow them to start growing when they won’t get attacked by too many bugs.

Your crop will then be harvested in the fall. However, if the seeds you got are for winter wheat, you will have to do things differently. Winter wheat is hardier than spring wheat. It must be planted in the fall or winter and harvested during the next summer.

If you live in an area where the winters are very cold and snowy, it’s best to grow spring wheat.

5. Water your grain seeds properly

If you are growing spring wheat during a very dry summer, you must water your field at least once each month to prevent your wheat from drying out. A drip irrigation system is a great option, as it slowly delivers the water the soil needs to stay moist.

You should check the soil’s moisture regularly. It should be kept moist but never soggy. Grain bin moisture monitoring systems can help with this process.

6. Use the right type of fertilizer

Grains require nutrients such as phosphate and nitrogen. You should fertilize your soil with an all-purpose fertilizer no more than two times during the growing season so your wheat gets all the nutrients it needs to grow.

You should regularly check the nutrients and pH levels of your soil so you can correct the situation if there is a problem.

7. Take simple measures to deter birds

Birds love eating grains too, and they might not wait for them to be ready before they attack your crop.

Displaying a scarecrow could be enough to scare birds, although many species of birds eventually get used to their presence or don’t even notice them at all. A better option could be to install many plastic flags in your field, so the noise they make while blowing in the wind will deter birds.

8. Harvest your grain when it reaches maturity

When the wheat stems have turned yellow and their kernels are dried, it’s time to harvest your grain.

Don’t forget to save and store some seeds so you can do it again next year!