tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post7387751132195716525..comments2024-03-27T22:01:59.919-04:00Comments on 5 Acres & A Dream: Wheat HarvestLeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-83810084449551579272011-08-24T09:13:49.541-04:002011-08-24T09:13:49.541-04:00Would love to know how that goes for you. Andrew, ...Would love to know how that goes for you. Andrew, you need a blog! :)Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-18866435064027136822011-08-23T16:56:51.915-04:002011-08-23T16:56:51.915-04:00Ok, thanks, I'll look that book up. Yes, I di...Ok, thanks, I'll look that book up. Yes, I did the fan with my vermont cranberry beans and an old fiberglass bathtub that was removed due to a crack. That part is working great. I end up with some nice clean beans. I've got a lot of blue tarps and old garden hoses, I'll definitely have to give that method a try!Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12323957337215626238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-75589556510901138042011-08-23T10:02:04.012-04:002011-08-23T10:02:04.012-04:00Andrew thanks! I love that you're learning how...Andrew thanks! I love that you're learning how to grow your own grains too. I would recommend getting Gene Logsdon's <a href="http://www.chelseagreen.com/bookstore/item/smallscale_grain_raising_second_edition/" rel="nofollow">Small Scale Grain Raising</a>. That's what we're going by. He discusses both wheat and barley (among other grains), all geared toward the small scale farmer or homesteader. He says barley is a tough one to thresh! Our wheat is not yet threshed, but we're going to follow his recommendation of folding it into a tarp and beating with lengths of old garden hose. Winnowing can be done with a couple of 5 gallon buckets and an electric fan. When we get to it, I'll blog about it!Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-7208513367785472022011-08-22T16:46:40.917-04:002011-08-22T16:46:40.917-04:00Hi, I came across this in a google search. I am i...Hi, I came across this in a google search. I am in southwest Virginia. Might not be too far from you. I wanted to get into raising wheat for my chickens. I've been trying to get a stand of barley for homemade beer going too. I'm good on drying things. I built a solar kiln per virginia tech's plans and I can do dry beans real well. I cut my barley with a hand scythe, but getting the seed separated from the seed head is driving me bonkers. How are you threshing? I'm about to try Rodale's plans for a home-scale thresher, but I feel like I'm missing the point somewhere. I tried doing it by hand do and after like three hours I had maybe a quart of barley. <br /><br />Thanks! Love the blog!<br />AndrewAndrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12323957337215626238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-62862119187491531372011-06-17T22:17:51.120-04:002011-06-17T22:17:51.120-04:00Scented Leaf, that is so true, it is a good workin...Scented Leaf, that is so true, it is a good working kind of job. Dan harvested our hay with his scythe last year. This year it was the wheat. Who knows what's next!<br /><br />Cindy, so nice to meet someone who has been growing wheat for awhile. We have yet to thresh and winnow, so your ideas on your blog were of great interest. Really like your foot threshing idea!Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-37791885763829089452011-06-17T18:47:44.316-04:002011-06-17T18:47:44.316-04:00Leigh, if you haven't harvested your wheat yet...Leigh, if you haven't harvested your wheat yet, you might get some tips from my recent blog at http://homeplaceearth.wordpress.com/2011/06/14/grains-in-your-garden/ <br /> I've been growing grain in my garden for a long time and I'm always happy to see others doing it, too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-1492008627619990422011-06-09T19:13:58.573-04:002011-06-09T19:13:58.573-04:00Wow, amazing.... This remembered my grandpa, who u...Wow, amazing.... This remembered my grandpa, who used to cut the hay with his old scythe... You need to relax after such a tiring day.Scented Leafhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05187150223758037543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-5415358991953456672011-06-09T09:12:03.984-04:002011-06-09T09:12:03.984-04:00Jenny, go for it! It's really not that hard, w...Jenny, go for it! It's really not that hard, well, so far it hasn't been that hard. We'll see how threshing and winnowing goes.<br /><br />Kaat, well, I'm jealous of your solar system, so we're even. LOL. But as you say, wonderful!Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-79101898358009113922011-06-08T20:19:15.218-04:002011-06-08T20:19:15.218-04:00Okay, I'll admit it. I AM SO JEALOUS!
Whew, no...Okay, I'll admit it. I AM SO JEALOUS!<br />Whew, now that's out...<br />wonderful wonderful! I love it!Kaathttp://blog.bolandbol.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-21668283512427086902011-06-08T12:46:20.954-04:002011-06-08T12:46:20.954-04:00Thnks for posting that! I plan to do a small whea...Thnks for posting that! I plan to do a small wheat crop next yr.Jenny Coehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01780591764337929683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-48500325920507707692011-06-08T10:37:58.653-04:002011-06-08T10:37:58.653-04:00Hulless oats?? Limette I would love to know all ab...Hulless oats?? Limette I would love to know all about that! I understand that the hulls of oats are very difficult to deal with. Of course I know you'll blog all about it. :)Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-49914311817535107002011-06-08T09:35:51.434-04:002011-06-08T09:35:51.434-04:00Looks great. I still have to plant my hulless oat...Looks great. I still have to plant my hulless oats. Hopefully they'll get planted this season!Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00081848869231823977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-44535542718746987262011-06-07T22:40:10.632-04:002011-06-07T22:40:10.632-04:00Doug, if my FIL was a retired wheat farmer, I'...Doug, if my FIL was a retired wheat farmer, I'd be picking his brain! We plan to do about half an acre in the fall. Like you, we have no equipment, so it's just us. I hope you blog about your own wheat growing.<br /><br />Geodyne, ain't that the truth, LOL Still, useful stuff is better than the meaningless stuff of consumerism. :)Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-31913313261507506072011-06-07T22:34:31.757-04:002011-06-07T22:34:31.757-04:00Storage as an issue is a recurring theme, isn'...Storage as an issue is a recurring theme, isn't it?! It's amazing just how much stuff you need to live "the simple life".Geodynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01546049731688240593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-71731480628243283682011-06-07T20:06:25.757-04:002011-06-07T20:06:25.757-04:00My wifes dad is a retired wheat farmer and I showe...My wifes dad is a retired wheat farmer and I showed him your post and he said "that's how we used to do it." I'd be interested in the follow up post to this. We have about 20 acres of grassland that I'm looking for something to do with. I don't want to buy equipment but would guess an acre or two would be an incredible amount of work to seed and harvest. <br /><br />Thanks for inspiring me to at least consider trying this.Doug at Thesimplefarm.comhttp://www.thesimplefarm.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-62187127866430507282011-06-07T12:04:08.542-04:002011-06-07T12:04:08.542-04:00Sharon, thank you! I'm honored indeed. Regardi...Sharon, thank you! I'm honored indeed. Regarding scythes, get a European style one. Dan got an American type scythe initially, but it just doesn’t work well, unless you’re about 5 feet tall. The ones on the market are apparently a replica, They’re all the same size and the handles are not adjustable. We decided to try the European style. They are custom made to the users height, and the handles are adjustable. He likes this one so much better. That’s our experience, but I hope you have others to talk to before you buy.<br /><br />Donna, thank you and welcome! Growing wheat has been very rewarding so far, even with just a small patch like ours. Glad your planning to join the wheat growing club!Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-56687046745357715622011-06-07T10:02:24.249-04:002011-06-07T10:02:24.249-04:00So happy I found this blog. My husband and I will ...So happy I found this blog. My husband and I will soon start this same journey. We're excited to have agood resource. Great blogDonna OShaughnessyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08266654110280149719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-55135695276029264022011-06-07T06:33:15.651-04:002011-06-07T06:33:15.651-04:00I must admit this project has me excited. Hubby an...I must admit this project has me excited. Hubby and I have talked about planting our own wheat someday, so it will be interesting to see it all works out. Hubby has been looking for a scythe.<br /><br />BTW, I have awarded the Stylish Blogger Award to you. I know you've had it before, but I just couldn't help myself!Sharonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07370064744402570158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-21269474066027176942011-06-07T05:56:16.606-04:002011-06-07T05:56:16.606-04:00Jane, how wonderful to have a combine! It is true ...Jane, how wonderful to have a combine! It is true though, that what it takes to produce food (especially good quality food) is priceless.<br /><br />Debbie, thanks! That is definitely true. It also gives us a sense of purpose and satisfaction. Not sure I can explain that, but it's all part of the thankfulness we have for what we're able to do.<br /><br />Tami, what a fun idea. Work parties used to be common in the agrarian societies. That's community in the true sense of the word!<br /><br />Benita, it is pretty exciting. I admit I'm anxious to give it a taste.<br /><br />Marissa, oh yes, do blog about your buckwheat. I grew some last year, and gathered a bunch, mostly for seed. I love buckwheat flour though, and recently read that buckwheat can be fed to goats. So I need to plant it again!<br /><br />Melissa, neither can I!<br /><br />Dr Momi, I love the term too, but can't take credit for it. That goes to Gene Logsdon. Great tip about using it for chicken feed. That's one thing we plan to do with it when we grow our bigger plot next year. <br /><br />Norma, thanks!<br /><br />Mama Pea, that learning curve often seems to be a learning mountain, LOL. But what you say is so true. I am glad we started with a sample patch first, but am very excited about seeing what we can grow next year.<br /><br />Evelyn, thank you! Yes, I use the chard for spinach often. My spinach has never done well because of our heat. Swiss chard was my go at non-spinach, spinach!<br /><br />Donna, well, we've got the vegetables down, so grains are next. I admit I've been slow at getting through the 50 pound bag that I bought for consumption, but I tend to mix the WW with unbleached white. That will have to be changing.<br /><br />Geodyne, this lot we can probably thresh all at once. One thing we're realizing, is that when we try to grow all our own grains (and hay) we have to have some place to store it! That's a challenge in itself and one we need to work on soon.Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-79034340198603812162011-06-06T23:51:56.838-04:002011-06-06T23:51:56.838-04:00I know you didn't measure the grain you sowed,...I know you didn't measure the grain you sowed, but I'm looking forward to seeing what your yield is. Are you planning to thresh it bit by bit? Threshing has always been the hardest part, in my mind.<br /><br />Interesting that the wheat fell every which way. I'm sure I've seen reenactments where scything the wheat with someone following to collect and stack resulted in a fairly even fall of wheat - but perhaps it's easier in a larger patch than a smaller?Geodynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01546049731688240593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-1336411136839277052011-06-06T22:55:55.145-04:002011-06-06T22:55:55.145-04:00That patch was so pretty and golden, how exciting ...That patch was so pretty and golden, how exciting to grow your own wheat. That must be one of the ultimates in self-sufficiency. I wonder how much you would need to take care of all your needs for a year? I'm sure you'll have a better idea after the threshing. :)Donnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09145319326565000085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-8976662841028702442011-06-06T21:57:19.875-04:002011-06-06T21:57:19.875-04:00The wheat looks fantastic! I love bread made from...The wheat looks fantastic! I love bread made from freshly ground wheat. And your pantry is lovely, tho it seems like alot to get through. Have you ever subbed chard for spinach?Evelynhttp://evelynoldroyd.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-81479241262749365052011-06-06T20:25:45.901-04:002011-06-06T20:25:45.901-04:00The old learning curve enters the picture again . ...The old learning curve enters the picture again . . . but another step for you toward self-sufficiency. No matter how little you might get from this harvest, I think it's very exciting and you should enjoy it and give yourself tons of credit for doing it. Next time around will be even better!Mama Peahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03649357184167949247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-65953781025029004742011-06-06T19:39:52.564-04:002011-06-06T19:39:52.564-04:00Congrats on your exciting harvest!
NCongrats on your exciting harvest!<br />NNorma from Misty Haven Alpacashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09528304751819069504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-85239524961403244422011-06-06T17:47:37.832-04:002011-06-06T17:47:37.832-04:00Looking forward to everything you learn about grow...Looking forward to everything you learn about growing your own "pancake patch" (I LOVE that name). Last year we hand harvested a small patch of oats for chicken feed. We left it right on the stalks, and just threw it all in bit by bit. It was food, entertainment, and bedding all in one. We hope to get a decent size patch going to feed them all winter.dr momihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15665259531466170062noreply@blogger.com