How to Grow Wheat for Food

Ripe wheat fields

Wheat is one of the cornerstones of western civilization, supplying valuable nutrition to people throughout the ages. Whole wheat flour is a vital ingredient in healthy breads and cookies. Wheat berries can be processed into bulgur or cooked whole like rice. They can also be sprouted to grow nutritious wheatgrass. If you want to become more self sustainable, think about growing your own wheat for food.

Things You'll Need

• 2 pounds wheat seeds (per person)
• 1,000 square feet of land (per person)
• Tiller
• Plow or hoe
• Watering system (optional, in drier climates)
• Scythe, sickle or combine

Instructions

1. Choose a variety of wheat. Winter wheat is planted in the late autumn, left in the field over the winter, and harvested in the spring or summer of the following year. Spring wheat is planted in the spring and harvested in the fall of the same year. Ask local gardeners or your county extension office which variety of wheat is best for your region. You will need to purchase about 2 pounds of wheat seeds (also called wheat berries) per person to grow enough wheat for a year's worth of grain.

2. Plot out your field. Wheat grows best in rich, well-drained soil, and you will need 1,000 square feet of land for every 2 pounds of wheat seeds.

3. Prepare the field as you would for any other crop, by tilling the land and amending it with any fertilizers as needed. Plow furrows in the soil approximately 6 inches apart with a plow or hoe.

4. Sow your wheat by scattering it in the furrows. It is best to have one person sowing and another person following behind to cover the furrows, or else the birds might help themselves to your wheat seeds.

5. Wheat can thrive in a dry climate, but it does need some water. If more than a week or two passes without any rain, you may need to water your wheat. You will also need to water more often in very hot weather.

6. At the end of the growing season, cut your wheat with a scythe, sickle or combine. Gather the stalks into bundles and thresh by beating, shaking or stepping on it. Winnow to separate the wheat from the chaff, and store the whole wheat berries in a cool, dark place. Process into flour or bulgur as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• You should be able to harvest about 50 pounds of wheat berries from every 1,000 square feet that you plant. You can save some wheat berries from one year's harvest to plant the following year.