Two-row barley
Hordeum distichon · Poaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant two-row barley: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Form
- Annual herbaceous plant (grass)
- Foliage
- Deciduous, linear and light green
- Flowering
- Spring-summer (May to July)
- Mature size
- 60 to 100 cm in height
- Growth
- Fast (4 to 5 months from sowing to harvest)
- Hardiness
- Very hardy down to -15°C
- Origin
- Fertile Crescent (Middle East)
- Soil type
- Well-drained, moderately fertile to alkaline
Care
Watering
Barley tolerates drought well once established. Water regularly at the young seedling stage to encourage root development. In typical winter or spring cultivation, natural rainfall is usually sufficient. Avoid excess moisture as it promotes disease.
Sunlight
Barley requires full sun for optimal yield. It appreciates at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. A south or west-facing exposure is ideal to maximize photosynthesis and grain production.
Soil preparation and type
Prepare a well-drained, moderately fertile soil. Barley adapts to neutral to alkaline pH (6.5 to 8). Light ploughing before sowing improves germination. Avoid compacted or waterlogged soils in winter.
Maintenance and harvest
No pruning is needed. For harvest, wait until the ears turn brown and the plant dries on the stalk (typically July-August). Cut or reap 10-15 cm from the ground. Allow to dry completely before threshing to recover the grain.
Nutrition
Barley requires little fertilizer if the soil is moderately fertile. A light nitrogen application at the tillering stage (3-4 leaves) can stimulate growth. Favor a balanced N-P-K ratio: excess nitrogen risks lodging and weakens the harvest.
Diseases and pests
Barley can be affected by powdery mildew, rust and leaf blotch in humid climates. Promote air circulation and avoid leaf moisture. Birds may be attracted to mature grain; netting or bird-scaring devices may be useful late in the growing season.
Did you know?
Barley (Hordeum distichon) is one of the first cereals domesticated by humanity, used for over 10,000 years in Mesopotamia. It was so valuable that it once served as a unit of exchange and weight: the English word 'grain' (unit of weight) comes directly from the barley grain. Today, it remains essential in brewing, malting and animal feed.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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- Reed canary-grassPhalaris arundinacea
- Common quaking grassBriza media
- Creeping soft-grassHolcus mollis
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.