Growing Wheat in the Burbs

This past spring I decided to grow wheat. It was pretty easy and fun.

Why would I want to grow wheat? I did it for a few reasons: One, I just can't help myself from being different and decided I would grow outside of the box. Two, I think it's important that we know where our food comes from and how it's grown. It was a fun learning experience. 

I started this project in very early spring when we were still having light frosts. I purchased a pound of these seeds. Like standard practice (yuck), I first started by tilling my 18X4 ft area. (no more tilling for me!) Then I purchased a truck load of compost to the three beds I was building. I made my little rows, dropped in the seeds, and covered with about half an inch of soil. Then I watered about once a week and spent a lot of time pulling weeds. Clearly, it wasn't enough by the bottom right photo. It died by itself at the end of summer (not by me not watering). I decided it was time to harvest when the birds were going crazy for it.  Instead of pulling out the wheat, I cut it at bottom. This way, the roots will decompose to become food and I returned the straw to the garden as mulch. By this time, I was learning a few things about permaculture and natural gardening. I ended up with about 30 gallons of seed without hulling it. You can bet it was too much work for me to hull it. I'm not sure I would have gotten one cup of flour.

I don't think I will ever look at a piece of bread the same again. It really put things into perspective just how much wheat is necessary to grow for just a loaf.