Wheat Growing Guide

Triticum aestivum

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous ●

Soil

Any well drained soil.

Position

Full sun.

Frost tolerant

Many varieties are cold hardy to -10F (- 23C) when well rooted in the garden. Grow varieties described as soft spring wheat in spring, but choose hard winter wheat for fall.

Feeding

When using wheat to improve very poor soil, mixing a balanced organic fertilizer into the soil before planting will give better results.

Spacing

Single Plants: 3" (10cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 3" (10cm) with 3" (10cm) row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Sow in late summer or early fall for an overwintered crop. Spring wheat can be planted while the soil is still cool. Broadcast seed into cultivated soil so that the seeds are about 3 inches (7 cm) apart and one-half inch (1 cm) deep. No thinning is required. Increase spacing to 8 inches (20cm) apart when growing wheat with other cover crops.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Primarily grown to increase organic matter, break up dense subsoil and crowd out weeds. Makes a beautiful show in spring.

Harvesting

Mow down plants in spring, before they develop seeds. Or, gather the immature seed tops and dry them for arrangements, and then pull up the plants. They can be used as mulch or composted.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Wheat

Aphids (General)

Slug

Snail