Wheat

The Arc Institute

Can be stores long-term if very dry. Placing into air-tight containers and freezing for a week or so to kill any insects will help avoid infestations. Broadcast seed on soil at a rate of 4 lb./1,000 square feet. Mulch with straw to retain moisture and discourage weeds. Plant winter wheat in the fall, so grass-like clumps of wheat are killed back by the first frosts but re-emerge in the spring. Harvest mid-summer for winter wheat, late for spring wheat. Wheat is ready to harvest when stems yellow and kernels can be dented with a fingernail. Cut and bundle the wheat into shocks left standing in the field to dry. Threshing is beating the wheat tops on a flat floor with a stick or flail as the wheat pops out of the heads. During this process, the wheat kernels fall to the floor, the straw removed from the top.