Emmer and Einkorn Wheat

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mml373

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I am new to homesteading and was wondering HOW to prepare a space for Emmer Wheat and/or Einkorn Wheat, and when to plant and also harvest. Zone 6. I have a lot of rocky ground that grows grass and weeds...how can I eradicate these so I don't have fescue with my wheat? Looking at maybe half an acre, to start, just to see how I do growing it the first time. Thanks in advance for helpful replies.
 
Welcome to the forum.
First off, how do you plan to harvest the wheat?
I live in zone 7b. I grew a small patch one year. Harvested with a scythe. I just worked up the patch like my garden, and used a broadcast spreader. It grew so thick I didn't have much weed infestation.
I planted in October and harvested around July 4th
 
I am new to homesteading and was wondering HOW to prepare a space for Emmer Wheat and/or Einkorn Wheat, and when to plant and also harvest. Zone 6. I have a lot of rocky ground that grows grass and weeds...how can I eradicate these so I don't have fescue with my wheat? Looking at maybe half an acre, to start, just to see how I do growing it the first time. Thanks in advance for helpful replies.
I don't know that that is a question you can get answered here. You might be able to, but I think that it would be similar to growing any wheat. If you have 10 - 40 acres or more, it might be okay to grow some, but there have been suggestions that if it is wheat that you want, it is better to purchase quantities of it that will last you for many years. I have no idea how much emmer and einkorn wheat is for cost. It has also been suggested that it is easier to grow, plant and harvest potatoes if you don't have many acres instead of wheat.

Welcome to the forum.
 
I don't know that that is a question you can get answered here. You might be able to, but I think that it would be similar to growing any wheat. If you have 10 - 40 acres or more, it might be okay to grow some, but there have been suggestions that if it is wheat that you want, it is better to purchase quantities of it that will last you for many years. I have no idea how much emmer and einkorn wheat is for cost. It has also been suggested that it is easier to grow, plant and harvest potatoes if you don't have many acres instead of wheat.

Welcome to the forum.
Emmer and/or einkorn were at least twice the price last I looked. Both are different from wheat in that they are ancient grains and haven’t been genetically modified like wheat (even organic). You might already know that- no offense meant if you did, but many folks don’t know. From what I’ve read, E&E are more digestible. I think it would be a lot of work but certainly a great thing to know from experience.
There is one of the Farm Series that they process wheat by hand from seeding, cutting, thrashing and winnowing. Interesting! Good luck 😊
Also, welcome aboard.
 
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Welcome!

I'd research local resources. They will have local knowledge on weather and soils. Community colleges often have departments that are designed to assist locals on food production and preservation. Ag schools might be able to advise you. They may even have a class that would be just what you're looking for. An old farmer, perhaps at the old folks home, might love to pass on much of his hard earned local knowledge.

Do you have any equipment? If you are planning on doing this all by hand, good luck.
 
Welcome!

I'd research local resources. They will have local knowledge on weather and soils. Community colleges often have departments that are designed to assist locals on food production and preservation. Ag schools might be able to advise you. They may even have a class that would be just what you're looking for. An old farmer, perhaps at the old folks home, might love to pass on much of his hard earned local knowledge.

Do you have any equipment? If you are planning on doing this all by hand, good luck.
Am I correct that you once recommended growing potatoes instead of wheat? I thought it was you, but I could be wrong.
 
Am I correct that you once recommended growing potatoes instead of wheat? I thought it was you, but I could be wrong.
I don't recall but potatoes would have advantages. Wheat would be harder to harvest and process but would last longer.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I'd harvest with a scythe. Not sure what to do after that. This would be a rest run on maybe half an acre. Pest load is a big deal here and I don't know how to mitigate that issue. LadyLocust's post covers the benefits/differences in Emmer and Einkorn wheat. They are a bit different from much of what we tend to see commercially. Ancient stuff. So this will be an experiment...

I'll look into planting this fall. Main question now is how to prep the space. Till, cover with tarps, etc.? I broke down and bought a tractor this year, so can perhaps rent or borrow appropriate implements to help speed things along.
 

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