Barley

Plant family

Grass family (Poaceae)

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Dry

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

Medium

Plant distance

4 cm

Row spacing

10 cm

Seeding depth

3 cm

Instructions

Description

Barley belongs to the family of grasses (Poaceae). It grows up to 1.2 m high. It forms spikes that have long awns. Two-rowed and multi-rowed spike forms can be found. Spring barley is generally two-rowed, winter barley four-rowed. Less winter hardy than wheat or rye. Winter barley is higher yielding than spring barley and is sown in September. Spring barley in spring. Barley is self-pollinated and is often used for livestock feed. Spring barley is most often used for brewing beer. Barley usually enters the supermarket as food in the form of semolina, pearl barley, or malt coffee. Barley contains little gluten.

Growing tips

As soon as the ears are yellow and fully ripe, they are inclined or drooping. Barley is cut for harvesting, bundled and then dried. Turn over every few days. Released plant substances can irritate the skin, so it is best to wear long clothing or other protection. Winter barley is sown by the end of September, spring barley from mid-March to mid-April. The soil for sowing should be loose, weed-free and dry. Approx. 300-330 grains per square meter^2. Barley does not tolerate waterlogging and prefers dry conditions. The field should be harrowed after sowing. Suitable preceding crops: Winter wheat without late nitrogen fertilization, sunflowers, silage maize, sugar beet, potatoes and arable grass. Unsuitable previous crops: Clover, clover grass, alfalfa, peas, vetches, field beans and grain maize. Suitable catch crops: legumes, rape, root crops, maize and rye. (From Agrarheute.com).