Have you fulfilled your dream of becoming self-sufficient and are now successfully cultivating grain in your garden? If you have chosen the right date for sowing, the stalks will grow well and offer the prospect of a rich harvest. But this is precisely what raises the question of when you should harvest the ears of grain. This article will provide you with comprehensive information about the right time.
When is the right time to harvest grain?
The grain harvest typically begins in mid-June and ends in late August, with barley being the first variety to be harvested. The grain is considered ready for harvest when the moisture in the grains is less than 15%.
Ripe time of grain varieties
The grain harvest season usually begins in mid-June and ends in late August. The first variety ready to harvest is barley. Only grain corn is only harvested from September to November. However, farmers begin harvesting green rye even earlier than harvesting barley. The reason: Unlike real rye, green rye is not used to make bread, but is used for other purposes:
- in biogas plants
- as livestock feed
Info: When sowing, a distinction is made between winter and summer cereals that are sown at different times. However, the type of grain does not play any role when it comes to harvest time. Since summer cereals grow much faster, both varieties are harvested from July. However, winter cereals produce better yields due to the longer ripening period.
Exact recommendations are only possible to a limited extent
The harvest time of grain is mainly determined by the moisture contained in the grains. Only when this is less than 15% is the grain considered ready to harvest. If you want to determine the exact harvest time of your specially grown ears of grain, you should check the grains daily. If it rains during the harvest, you are forced to stop work.
Exceptions
However, it is also possible to harvest grain if the residual moisture is above the specified value. To prevent mold from forming during storage, it is important to cool the grains down to 7°C and let them dry well.
