E-Mail 'Our Family’s Garden Grain Experiment- Part 2, by Wild BillB of OR' To A Friend

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1. We grew some wheat for a number of years. I threshed it using a “leaf eater” which is, essentially, an electric weed whip in a drum. It was quite fast and easy to use. The only safety concern is that a wheat berry was shot out now and then. There are probably several on the market.

2. Great article, thanks for sharing. I recently experimented growing grains in the home-garden as well (Corn and Rice – still trying to figure out how to de-hull the rice!)
   What a great experience for the kids, too. Wish mine were half as interested, LOL!

3. Some farmers will sell super sacks of corn and wheat to individuals. I recently purchased one that contained 1800 pounds for $200. I have also done the same with wheat.

   1. yes, craigslist is how we found several farmers doing this as well. we’ve purchased these for animal feed, and considered using it for ourselves. in a difficult situation it would be fine, however we found the super sacks of grain were quite dirty, and had a lot of weed and other ‘seed’ in them, so we haven’t pursued eating/grinding this for ourselves. good option to be aware of, though!

4. wonderful article. i just have a question about your estimate of needing 3 acres to grow a meaningful amount of wheat. here in western oregon yield is about 50 bushels per acre. 3 acres should yield 150 bushels or about 9000 pounds of wheat since wheat weighs in at about 50 or 60 pounds per bushel. seems to be far more than any family can eat or use for feed.

   1. I am with Jay M here, the numbers I have seen for wheat is 6500lbs per acre, must be where I live. I figure that 3 acres of wheat would be enough to feed the town, not just your family. Very good information. I know when I move out of the city and on to some land I want to grow grains for a Grain CSA, vs a vegetable or a fruit CSA. Thank you for sending time writing the article.

   2. great point. i think these numbers are for automated planting/harvesting. when we did it by hand, our yields were no where near this level. my estimate of 3 acres was a SWAG, and based on the square footage we had planted and yielded. there is loss and significant inefficiency in how we did it, but the chickens made the ‘loss’ up for us 😉 also, we have a big family (>9 people) and many neighbors that in a life-down situation we would be helping as well. so… i agree with you completely but my estimate is very conservative. i should have been clearer. thanks for the input!

5. This was a wonderful article. Including links to videos was very helpful in clarifying ideas described in the text.

6. I’ve adapted a 7&1/4″ De Walt or other carbide tipped 24 tooth thin kerf skil saw blade to my heavy duty weed wacker. It will lay down tall grass nicely in a row.This has proven also to work very well for trail work in heavy brush in So Cal. It will take down brush up to 4″ in in thickness. You must use it with a straight shaft weed wacker and be very careful of which way you cut into the brush with the leading edge. I’m sure someone will comment on the danger of the carbide tips flying off and hitting someone. This has never happened in 20 years and many blades later. They hold up amazing and cut even when they are fairly dull to the touch. If you can figure out how to adapt them you will figure out how to use them safely. Do this at your own risk. I always wear eye, ear and hand protection. Also Chain saw chaps are a must to keep rocks from hitting you in the legs.

7. We grew “streaker” hulless oats and had no such problems. Stripped from the stalk by hand, run through the thresher then winnowed for really nice groats. Did need to get a flaker to get rolled oats, and produced really nice oatmeal. Only real issue with growing grains at home is the need for a few specialized tools. Once you either buy or make these, the rest is pretty straight forward.

8. Keep reading articles like yours hoping for different results than what I or you have found. Just remember CORN is KING. One of the highest calories per acre and one way to get rid of humanure using hill method.

   1. Of course root crops are still more efficient than corn by a long shot (for total calories per acre)

      1. Yes! Our experiments with potatoes confirmed this to ourselves as well. Love corn, love wheat, love potatoes (lefse is a family favorite for generations!). Gene Logsdon is a favorite author and after reading his book we thought we’d give wheat a try, since it is of value and not a ‘typical’ garden or small production crop. Thanks for your comments!

9. Your yield calculates to 2030 lb. per acre. That’s very good for hand seeding and harvesting. Commercial farms get about 1-1/2 tons per acre, about 1/3 more. If you left 10% or so to the chickens, that’s all to the good. Commercial farms can’t open up their land to chickens, so it’s mice that reap the windfall. Congrats on your success.

10. As so many people, you speak of “growing the plant”. If we were growing our own wheat…

    I ask you to consider that we plant, tend and harvest the crop. The One who grows it provides for us all.

    1. yes, you are right – it is God who gives the increase. i appreciate you pointing this out, because i didn’t speak to it enough. the BEST part of a garden is that it teaches our family how DEPENDENT we are upon the Lord. we put our work in, but without His blessing, it is for naught. i LOVE feeling that renewed realization of our dependence on the Lord – we often lose it so easily in our modern, convenient world that He has blessed and prospered us in. thanks for pulling us ‘back in’!

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