DESCRIPTION
Growing Organic Barley Cover Crop Garden Seeds
About Organic Barley Cover Crop Garden Seeds
Like many cereal grains, Organic barley cover crop is popularly broadcasted directly in early spring, or late fall in regions with more mild winters, for spring mulching and green manure. For a more linear traditional garden harvest, sow 2-3 heirloom barley cover crop seeds ½" deep and 2-3" apart in nearly any kind of poor and depleted garden soil in full sun. Non-GMO barley seeds germinate in 4-7 days and mature into a classic 24-48" tall grassy wheat cereal grain. Non-GMO Hordeum vulgare is a hardy ancient grain with no serious pests or diseases. When mowing down, be sure to wear a long-sleeved shirt to avoid skin irritation. Organic barley termination is typically done so with a smothering process where a tarp is laid down for a few weeks as plants decompose. Soil can then be turned over with a low-mow method or use a grass herbicide before crop goes to seed.
Organic Barley Benefits
As an Organic cover crop, barley seeds quickly grow and act as an exceptional weed suppressant. As a winter cover crop, barley provides just as many nutritional values when grown in spring, but also is an ideal soil protectant as the plants decompose over the span of several months. Once it's time to winterkill, barley releases more nitrogen as it's tilled back into the soil. Non-GMO Organic barley is popularly grown as a cover crop grown to slow down the germination process of surrounding weeds and plants, a trait known as allelopathy, which provides a strong defense against weed growth, unwanted reseeding, and invasive species. Heirloom Organic barley is more tolerant to drought than other cereal grains and can act as a "green manure" mulch biomass when tilled back into the soil for Organic-rich spring garden soil.
Wholesale Organic Barley Cover Crop Seeds Per Package:
- 1 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 875 Seeds
- 8 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 7,000 Seeds
- 1 lb - Wholesale - Approximately 14,000 Seeds
- 2.5 lb - Wholesale - Approximately 35,000 Seeds
- 4.5 lb - Bulk - Approximately 63,000 Seeds
- 8.5 lb - Bulk - Approximately 119,000 Seeds
- 25 lb - Bulk - Approximately 350,000 Seeds
- 30 lb - Bulk - Approximately 420,000 Seeds
Non-GMO Organic Barley cover crop seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on orders over $75.
ATTRIBUTES
Basic Info
| Latin Name: |
Hordeum vulgare
|
| Color: |
Classic light green field grain that turns to golden brown in summer and fall |
Growing Info
| Days to Maturity: |
70 days until mow |
Other
| Barley Hardiness Zones: |
2-11 Annual |
| Barley Seeding Rate: |
~.5 lb per 1000 sq. ft |
| Seed Planting Depth: |
Broadcast directly and lightly tamp and rake or, for garden sowing, plant 2-3 seeds 1-2" deep |
| Barley Growth Habit: |
Organic barley seeds mature into a classic 24-48" tall grassy cereal grain |
| Organic Barley Soil Benefits: |
Replenishes nitrogen into soil, roots loosen soil to improve tilth, drainage, and weeds |
| Grow Temp Preference: |
55-75° F |
| Garden Light Preference: |
Full sun |
| Pests/Diseases/Troubleshooting: |
Non-GMO Hordeum vulgare is a hardy ancient grain with no serious pests or diseases |
| Barley Cover Crop Mow: |
Depending on when seeds were planted, Organic barley cover crop can me mowed and tilled in either spring or fall or, more easily, 2-3 weeks prior to sowing new crop |
