Growing Wheat at Home

Growing your own wheat might seem ambitious, but it's surprisingly achievable in a home garden. A 100-square-foot plot can yield 5-10 pounds of grain—enough for dozens of loaves of homemade bread from your own flour.

Why Grow Wheat at Home?

• Freshest Flour: Freshly ground wheat has more nutrients and flavor
• Food Security: Staple crop you can store long-term
• Cover Crop Benefits: Protects and improves soil
• Educational: Connect with traditional agriculture

Types of Wheat

Winter Wheat

Planted in fall, harvested in early summer. Needs a cold period (vernalization) to produce grain. Higher yields than spring wheat.

Spring Wheat

Planted in early spring, harvested in late summer. Better choice for areas with extremely harsh winters.

Wheat Varieties

• Hard Red Winter: High protein, great for bread
• Soft White Winter: Lower protein, good for pastries
• Turkey Red: Heirloom variety, excellent flavor
• Emmer (Farro): Ancient wheat, nutty flavor

Planting Wheat

Winter Wheat Timing

Plant 6-8 weeks before your first expected frost:

• Northern US: September to early October
• Central US: October
• Southern US: November

Spring Wheat Timing

Plant as early as soil can be worked, typically 4-6 weeks before last frost.

How to Plant

1. Prepare soil with compost—wheat likes fertile, well-drained soil
2. Broadcast seeds evenly at 25-30 seeds per square foot
3. Rake lightly to cover seeds about 1-2 inches deep
4. Water gently if rain isn't expected

Growing Care

Wheat is remarkably low-maintenance:

• Water: 1 inch per week; reduce as grain matures
• Weeds: Dense planting naturally suppresses weeds
• Fertilizer: Light nitrogen application in early spring

Harvesting Wheat

When to Harvest

Wheat is ready when:

• Stalks and heads are completely golden
• Kernels are hard and can't be dented with a fingernail
• Grain moisture is below 14% (crunch a kernel—it should shatter)

Harvesting Methods

1. Cut: Use a scythe, sickle, or hedge shears
2. Bundle: Tie stalks into sheaves
3. Dry: Stack in shocks or hang in a dry area for 2 weeks
4. Thresh: Beat grain from heads (use a pillowcase!)
5. Winnow: Use a fan to blow away chaff

Storing and Milling

Store clean, dry wheat berries in airtight containers—they'll last for years. Mill into flour as needed using a grain mill for the freshest, most nutritious flour possible.