Grasses and grains
Most of us are aware that wheat is a cultivated grass but so are many other crops including barley and the biggest commonly cultivated grass, sweetcorn. Lemon grass is biologically a grass, but is used as a herb in cooking and health foods. Whether the wild or cultivated varieties (wild rice is in fashion), many of these are relatively easy to grow at home or on the allotment. If you live near grain field you may even see the odd rogue plant pop up in your garden as seeds are sometimes eaten and later released by birds in their droppings as they fly overhead. Apparently being pooped on by a bird is lucky, but if you get free crops it is (as long as it's not on your head).
Due to the importance of some of these staple crops there are government and farming body guidance packs available in most countries. When growing cereal crops and seeds look out for bacterial and fungal diseases such as rust and insects from bulb fly, weevils as well as flee and grain beetles. Garlic acts as a natural cleaner with its antibacterial properties which can be added when you water plants. We've not done this, but have heard that sprinkling baking soda over plants can clean up fungal problems.
Cereals (Spring) barley, Bulgar wheat, corn (field corn), oats, oil seed, Rye and wheat
Unlike the hardier varieties, these spring cereal crops do well sown from late February onward. These crops have some similar and also some unique properties, for example, wheat has been cultivated and bred for flour, whereas, barley can be used in breakfast cereals, soft drinks and brewing. Oats, rye or bulgar are used in food, with the former now a milk alternative. Field corn contains more starch so is used for used for certain flours, whiskey and thickeners for all types of products. Oil seed rape is pressed for oils. According to 'Farmer's Weekly' March is the best month for sowing spring cereal crops.
Commercially these crops are sown with machinery but they can be sown by hand in smaller areas. Sow around 3-4 cm (1, 1/2 inches) deep to protect from frosts and birds. You can expect to harvest most varieties in September - October. However, early cropping varieties, such as quintus wheat can be sown in colder areas in April and still be ready for harvest.
Cereals (Winter) Barley, oats, millet, rye and wheat
These are essentially cultivars of the above that grow from early autumn to the harvest window in summer. Growing these crops means that you will not have a winter crop or be able to use a nitrogen fixing cover crop unlike spring varieties. Rye and an old cultivar, triticale also fit in to this category of winter cereals. Sorghum, also known as giant or Indian millet, which is used in food, alcohol and sugar or syrups.
According to the Agricultural and Development Horticultural Board in the UK, winter cereals such as wheat and oil seed were rated good-excellent (oil seed at 77%). Sow direct outdoors in March for an August-September crop.
Sweetcorn (maize)
One of the few veg to make it on to a BBQ, sweetcorn has become a global favourite in its many forms. It has become a more common site in temperate countries where it was not previously grown due to the range of varieties and its tolerance for soil types. Sweetcorn comes in many different sizes and colours with the less familiar varieties being grown by gardeners, small holders and garden centres.
Sow sweetcorn undercover from April - May, however, in warmer climates you can probably do this in March. Or sow direct in late May and June when your risk of frost has passed. Transplant outside from mid-May either in blocks with plants around 30 - 45 cm (12-18 inches) apart. Plants can be spaced slightly wider if you are growing beans and squashes with them (the 3 sisters technique). For more info see growing techniques. Sweetcorn plants pollinate through the wind so need to be close to each other. Unlike other veggies, sweetcorn need to be in blocks rather than rows, the large fields you see will be made up of hundreds of blocks, all worked out in advance.
These are large leaf plants that grow up to 1.5 m (approx 5 ft) tall depending on the variety you chose. Provide plenty of water and ensure plants have lots of sun exposure to develop the sugars in the cobs.
* Bamboo
Bamboo is a bit of a wonder plant that can be processed into fabrics, paper, building materials and some varieties can even be used as food, served in South-East Asian restaurants and take-aways. However, less than 10% of bamboo varieties are edible and all plants contain levels cyanogen (cyanide), that can breakdown when boiled. This is why we have never grown it ourselves to eat and why it is worth a mention with an air of caution should you find an article online that suggests you eat it without any cautions.
If you are growing your own bamboo or flax seed (linseed) there are test kits you can buy, which are highly recommended. Before you commit to a species of bamboo, please do your research and make sure you have consulted an expert who can guarantee a specific plant is what the label claims.
Hemp and bamboo have very fibrous stems that can be used for textiles, which you may have seen in some shops.
Rice
From short to long grain and aromatic to arborio there's a rice for everyone. Like wasabi or mangroves, rice is semi-aquatic requiring a constant supply of water, either irrigation or the low lying waterlogged fields, where water would cover the bases of plants up to around 5 cm ( 2 inches). You can grow rice in tubs as the water levels can be managed without harming other plants. Rice plants atre often available in a nursery or garden centre that will also have someone knowledgeable to give you advice. Alternatively you can buy online if you know what you are doing.
Rice prefers slightly acidic soil at a lower Ph than many other plants. By setting everything up in advance it will allow a couple of days for the the chlorine in tap water to dissipate. The garden centre or nursery will give you guidance on soaking rice seeds in March or April (often 1 - 1 1/2 days) until germination. Harvest your own rice after 6 months growth in September - October when plants are over 90 cm (3 ft tall).
Ancient grains
This group of plants include amaranth, bulgar wheat, Farro, Freekah, spelt and the lesser known East-African tef. As most of these grains are very small sprinkle them onto the surface of fine damp soil or pre-soak them on damp kitchen roll overnight. As the seeds need light to germinate, sowing on the surface is quite tempting for birds so place a cloche over seeds or sow under cover until seedlings of over 10 cm tall and space 20 - 30 cm (8 - 12 inches) apart. Sow April - May and depending on the variety and climate plants will be ready in 4 - 6 months.
Seeds/grains
These are all treat as grains but are not actually grains. Chia seeds, millet, quinoa are all seeds but used in the same way as grains. Sunflower, safflower (both asters related to lettuce), mustard seeds (brassica), buckwheat (related to sorrel) and poppy seeds would also fit into this category because of the way they are used. However, sunflower petals can be eaten making it an edible flower. For the 3 asters and brassica, they will suffer similar pests and diseases as their plant groups. Pumpkin, flax (linseed), hemp and sesame plants are also used for seeds to be added to breads, salads, cereals or toasted.
Plants like Quinoa need warmth to grow outdoors due to the zones they are adapted to. If you want to grow these seeds or grains, sow under cover in late March in to April and harvest September - October. Plant out from May in a warm sunny spot to give plants the best chance in cooler climates.
Canola (oil seed rape) also fits in to this category, as wel as cereals but is related to turnips in the brassica family. Oil seed was used as a lubricant in machinery as the original varieties were not suitable for consumption. Scientists in North America developed a hybrid/cultivar around the 1970's that can be used in foods or as a cooking oil. The name comes from the Latin, 'rape', which means turnip. As plant terms or colloquial names come from different languages it can cause confusion. Another example would be the turnip, also known as neap or rutabaga in different areas.
Sugar cane
This grass almost didn't make the category as it's grown commercially rather than in gardens and allotments. It was originally cultivated for its sweet sap, which was pressed and processed in to sugar. Byproducts of the sugar industry are syrups, molasses, bio fuels and alcoholic drinks. This grass grows in tropical and subtropical regions (zones 10 - 13), it can grow quickly and tall in the heat. It is possible to grow in cooler climes with the grass being much shorter.
Let us know if you live in a colder climate and grow sugarcane! What successes have you had and advice you may have for people. Sugarcane needs planting in late summer so it can overwinter and grow from spring to autumn when it is cut and pressed.
