cereal growing

[soloheadbeg]

Hello

I have inherited a class of agricultural science students and we are going to use the school grounds to grow winter barley, wheat and oats. I'd appreciate any opinions regarding using raised beds and how deep they should be. I could also rotavate a section of a field. I am sowing the cereals for educational purposes only and intend to sow approx. 1 square metre of each. Any hints and advice would be great.

Thanks very much

 

[Mursal]

We grow a bit commercially, so if in doubt, shout.

Raised beds should be ok, just ensure the fertility is good.
You will probably find oats the easiest to grow, with barley a close second and wheat a bit temperamental in this part of the country.

Ask some of the lads in your local grain store (not sure of your location) they will donate/sell you locally grain undressed seed which will be fine in my opinion for your needs. Grain is usually coated or dressed for disease resistance. But, as you will be handling the seed best not to use commercially dressed seed. Just ask them for a bit of barley ect, "off the combine" for a school project.

Broadcast (scatter) and rake in. Sow to heavy and it will bend over ("go down"), to light and the weeds will take over. A bit of an art form

http://www.teagasc.ie will have loads of stuff and I'm sure your local office/adviser will gladly call out to your class to have a chat.

Good luck
What happened the last teacher, probably a secret?

PS As a side issue, http://www.combines4charity.com/#!home/mainPage are using these crops to generate income for some very worthwhile charities.

 

[r896neo]

What a great reply. A* for mursal