How to Grow Wheat
Triticum aestivum
Wheat is a hardy cereal grain that thrives in cool weather and full sun. Sow winter wheat in October for harvest the following July, or spring wheat in March for an August harvest. Broadcast seed or drill in rows 15-20 cm apart at 3 cm depth. It needs minimal care once established, just a feed at tillering and again at stem extension. Watch for rust and aphids. Harvest when ears are golden and grain is hard. A 10 sq m plot yields enough flour for several loaves.
When to Start
Direct sow outdoors as soon as soil reaches 4°C — typically early to mid spring. Hardy enough to tolerate light frosts.
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Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Apply a balanced fertilizer at tillering stage and again at stem extension. Avoid excess nitrogen late in the season which causes lodging.
- Wheat is the world's most widely grown cereal grain and surprisingly easy to grow on a small scale. It forms dense upright tillers topped by characteristic ears. Cool-season crop that tolerates frost well once established. Winter wheat is sown in autumn and harvested the following summer; spring wheat is sown in early spring and harvested in late summer. Both produce flour suitable for bread, pasta, and pastry.
Growing Conditions
- Min. soil temperature
- 4°C+
- Germination temperature
- 4–25°C
- Direct sow
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 5 cm |
| Row spacing | 20 cm |
| Sow depth | 3 cm |
| Mature height | 110 cm |
| Mature spread | 15 cm |
Broadcast sow at 15-20 g per sq m, or drill in rows 15-20 cm apart. For small plots, thin to 5 cm apart within rows.
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 4°C |
| Germination temperature | 4–25°C |
| Base growth temperature | 4°C |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | long day |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Wheat?
- Plant Wheat 5cm apart with 20cm between rows.
- Is Wheat frost hardy?
- Wheat is classified as Hardy.
