STEVE! I was JUST debating on whether or not to plant some black-tip wheat for next year! I was reading today you have to cut it for drying before the heads completely dry out...? How do you like growing it? is it easy to harvest/dry? do you use it for decoration? sell it?
Couldn't be a much easier crop, C. It's grass . . .
I plant the seed real early and it grows. The ground has had some balanced fertilizer worked in.
When it begins to lighten in color, it's time to harvest. Just for ornamental purposes, you want a little of the green still in the stalk.
If it is seed that you want, wait a little longer to allow it to fully mature but it is still best to cut and windrow it before bringing in the combine . . . just kidding!
I'll have a little to share with the hens. That seed wheat is lying on a board deck drying before being trampled about, on a tarp to separate out the seed. Then, I'll scoop that up, climb up on the ladder and dump it back down on the tarp. A nice breeze helps. The less of a breeze, the higher you have to climb on the ladder .
So you mainly use it for ornamental purposes and then for chicken purposes? You save your seed from year to year it sounds like...?
I was thinking about growing some for ornamental use....kinda forgot that my chicks might like some too.... I saw it in Johnny's catalog and I may try a little next year....
So ya plant it real early...and it's ready to harvest around now? or was it ready earlier?
I bought this from Johnny's about 8 years ago, I'd guess. Yep, I've grown it and saved seed ever since.
Wheat makes a nice addition to a dry flower wreath. DW has those talents but I can actually make them too. In fact, that's how she learned .
I planted some millet, which I got from Johnny's at the same time and saved seed. Unfortunately, I just planted it a short while ago - forgot about it. Also, there's statice and a few poppies.
Wreath bases can be made from grape vines . . . and, away you go!
This has been drying about 1 week now. The wheat for seed was just cut a couple days ago.