Planting Instructions for Wheat – Growing for Grain
🌾 Best Wheat Types for Grain Production
- Hard Red Winter Wheat: For bread flour (planted in fall)
- Hard Red or White Spring Wheat: For short-season growing (planted in early spring)
📍 1. Location
- Full sun
- Well-drained soil with moderate fertility
- Large plot or raised bed preferred (even a small backyard patch works)
📅 2. When to Plant Todd’s Seeds Wheatgrass Seeds
- Winter Wheat: Sow in fall (6–8 weeks before the first frost)
- Spring Wheat: Sow in early spring as soon as the soil is workable
🧱 3. Soil Prep
- Till or loosen the top 6–8 inches of soil
- Add compost or balanced fertilizer if needed
- Ideal pH: 6.0–7.0
🌱 4. Sowing
- Broadcast or drill seeds evenly at a rate of 3–5 ounces per 100 square feet (or about 90–120 pounds per acre)
- Sowing depth: 1–1.5 inches
- Row spacing (if using rows): 6–8 inches apart
💧 5. Watering
- Water after planting to settle the soil
- Rely on rainfall or irrigate to keep soil moist, not soggy, especially during germination and heading
🌿 6. Care
- Weed early; wheat competes well once established
- Fertilize lightly at the tillering stage if growth is slow
- Monitor for rust or mildew, especially in humid areas
🔪 7. Harvest
- Grain is ready when the heads are golden brown, and kernels are hard and dry
- Test by biting a kernel—it should be firm
- Cut stalks with a sickle or scythe and bundle into sheaves
- Cure bundles in a dry area for 1–2 weeks
🌾 8. Threshing & Winnowing
- Thresh: Beat or rub heads to loosen grain
- Winnow: Toss grain in the air or use a fan to blow away chaff
🧊 9. Storage
- Store clean, dry grain in airtight containers
- Keep in a cool, dry place or freeze to kill pests
✅ Bonus Tip: One pound of seed can plant roughly 250–500 square feet and yield 1–2 pounds of flour if well-tended.