Growing wheat for breadmaking

[johnty greentoes]

Is it a completely stupid idea to consider growing wheat. I have a hankering for grinding my own grain and making my own bread. I am assuming that the amount of land needed to grow enough grain for a reasonable return would be ...??? a lot?

Anyone tried it, or m I barking...?

[Two_Sheds]

Not tried it, but I bet John Seymour (Complete Guide to Self-Sufficiency) has

[Hazel at the Hill]

JS does indeed have a good deal to say on the subject - along the lines of what a great thing is it to mill your own wheat to make bread - Two Sheds, but I can't see about quantities just on a quick flick through the book.

If you don't have 'The complete book on Self Sufficiency' by John Seymour - then you must all go and buy it! Most fabulous read ever and chock a block full of good advice.

I'm sure the other grapes will know more, Johnty, but I'll see if I can separate the wheat from the chaff (haha!) and post more later....

[johnty greentoes]

Thanks Hazel and 2 sheds

I've visited the self sufficiency website but didn't find anything useful.

Havel, great blog, have a similar one of my own just started, http://johntygreentoes.blogspot.com/

Any further advice from the book would be great.

[Hazel at the Hill]

You have a fabulous blog, Johnty - I'll be making regular visits! Bit embarrassing how easy we've had it on our 1/2 plot - it was cultivated last year so just a few annual weeds to dig and and we're away!

Allotment advice from the others is - of course - invaluable, but we have a few old boys who stray onto various reminiscences (had to look that up!) and in the first few weeks I have spent a lot of time wanting to get on while listening to 'what I did as groundsman working in the local schools and my terrible gaffer and the terrible head teacher and I said....' etc etc etc

The trick seems to be let them come over to you where you are working so you can carry on digging whilst saying 'yes' and 'no' at appropriate intervals!


BTW, JS Self Suffiency is in Waterstones if you want to have a flick through - but do suggest putting it on your wish list!

[Sue]

Hi JT
I don't know about quantities but I have seen wheat recommended for interplanting to help control wireworm, apparently they love it, it attract them off of other crops, it was recommended to let it grow then dig it up and burn it and the little wireworms to get rid of them.
The only grain crop I've seen on offer is from Real Seeds who offer oats to grow your own porridge...
Sue

[johnty greentoes]

Hazel

Your blog is fab too. Your enthusiasm is immense, I will be fascinated to see how far it takes you.

I cannot but help be extremely jealous, words like 'tilth' left me drooling, aside from the fact that you plot obviously has all mod-cons like fences/hedges! I spent half an hour yesterday just trying to determine the edges of my plot. The boundary was indistinguishable amongst the docks either side of me.

Could I put a link to your blog from mine? It could be useful for people that are interested in the diarised ramblings of veggiewriters.