Hordeum vulgare (Barley) is a grassy, edible plant that is native to the Fertile Crescent which includes western Asia and north-eastern Africa. Cultivated for over 12 000 years, Barley seeds are used to make beer, flour, porridge or sprouted and added to salads. The plant also has medicinal qualities, is added to livestock feeds and leaves the soil better than it started.
Suitable for Cold, Temperate, Dry and Sub-Tropical climates.
Growth
Hordeum vulgare is an edible crop that reaches heights of between 90-100 cm (3 feet). It is one of the most hardy crops in the world. In many parts of Australia, Barley is planted at the beginning of winter as a livestock feed or additional cash crop during a usually unproductive period. When grown during winter, Barley also helps to improve the soil for the following crop in Spring.
Harvest yields are highly dependent on the sowing depth and climate of where the seeds are planted. Read our Germination Instructions in the tab for more information.
Due to Barley’s relatively short growing season, adaptability and cost / benefit ratio, the crop has become popular throughout the world.
For the home gardener, Barley is grown as a method to produce home made hops and the stems chopped up to be added into compost or mulch into the garden.
The main reason for Barley is actually feeding livestock. The livestock benefit from the high source of nitrogen and phosphorous, the crop is easy to grow during winter and does not require harvesting.
FAMILY:
Poaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold, Temperate, Dry, Sub Tropical.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
0 to 30°C / 32 to 86°F
SOIL TYPE:
Most soil types.
LOCATION:
Full Sun.
HEIGHT:
Up to 0.9m (3 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 10 cm (4 inches)
pH:
5.0-8.0. Highest quality Barley is usually 7.0-8.0.
GROWTH TYPE:
Annual
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low to Medium
POLLINATION:
Self fertile
MATURITY:
3-5 months
GERMINATION RATES:
75-85%
GERMINATION TIME:
5 days to 3 weeks
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 25 seeds
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
FACTS ABOUT HORDEUM VULGARE (BARLEY)
According to studies, three grams of Barley per day lowers levels of blood cholesterol and improves regulation of blood sugars.
Although Barley does contain gluten, it is often an alternative grain for those intolerant to wheat.
The seed meal of Barley is a folk remedy for cancer of the uterus, inflammatory and sclerotic tumors and parotid gland tumors.
Germination Instructions
HOW TO GROW HORDEUM VULGARE (Barley)
Step 1
Barley is often sown directly into the ground but can also be grown in pots if only a small amount is required. Sowing depth is widely debated as is ideal temperatures for germination, but that is mainly due to the resulting yields afterwards.
A depth range of 5mm to 50mm (¼ inch to 2 inches) and temperatures from 0 to 20°C / 32 to 68°F are suggested. The reason for the wide ranges is the directly related to the climate that Barley is grown in.
In colder climates, where there is less time to reach the minimum 90 day harvest period, a sowing depth of 5-10mm is recommended and can be started as soon as temperatures are above 0°C / 32°F. Germination takes between 5-10 days and is ready for harvest in around 90-100 days. However, due to the shallow depth and energy taken to defend itself from the colder conditions, the harvest yield is significantly lower than in warmer climates. However, compared to other grain crops in cold climates, Barley yields are unmatched.
There are farms across Australia that grow Barley throughout the winter to support livestock or to produce additional revenue while other crops cannot grow. The lower harvest yield is often compensated by the added benefit of improving the soil conditions for the next crop in Spring.
In warmer climates, where there is more time, the ideal depth is 25-50mm when temperatures are consistently over 10°C / 50°F. Germination takes between 2-3 weeks and harvest times are extended to around 120-140 days from seed. The yield per plant is significantly higher (than colder climates) due to the additional root development at the beginning and less energy spent defending itself from the environment.
Barley is quite drought hardy, but requires regular moisture during the early stages, around 6-8 weeks in when pollen heads are setting and again in the build up to the harvesting.
Step 2
The main consideration throughout is the maintenance of weeds. In smaller sizes, simply hand weed to ensure Barley isn’t being beaten for nutrients and moisture. For larger crop sizes, an organic weed herbicide is recommended.
Step 3
Depending on climate the time to harvest can range from between 90 -140 days. Barley is ready for harvest when the stalks have turned from green to yellow and the seed heads have started to droop towards the ground.
Barley is harvested the same way as wheat. It is first cut, then bundled and left to dry for around a week in a cool, dry storage area. It is recommended to wear a long-sleeve shirt when harvesting barley as the awns can irritate your skin.
