🌾 Barley: Growing Guide
Barley (Hordeum vulgare) grows best in full sun with little water, and does well at −5 to 30 °C (23–86 °F) in soil with a pH of 6.0–8.5. Space plants about 5 cm (2 in) apart. Expect 90–120 days.
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Hordeum vulgare |
|---|---|
| Category | Grains |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Low |
| Plant spacing | 5 cm (2 in) |
| Soil pH | 6.0–8.5 |
| Comfortable temperature | −5 to 30 °C (23–86 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 90–120 days |
| Sowing depth | 3 cm (1.2 in) |
| Height | 50–100 cm (20–39 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | |||||||||
| Continental | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Oceanic | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Subtropical | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||
| Tropical | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | |||||
| Cold / Northern | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Sep · Plant out: Oct · Harvest: Nov.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Jul.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Jul.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Sow: Jan, Aug · Plant out: Feb, Sep · Harvest: Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Sow: Jan, Jul · Plant out: Feb, Aug · Harvest: Mar–Apr, Sep.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Sow: May · Plant out: Jun · Harvest: Jul–Aug.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Sow: Sep · Plant out: Oct · Harvest: Nov–Dec.
Watering
Water about every 5 days in summer and about every 14 days in winter. Moderate watering.
Growing tips
Tolerates drought and salinity. Beer, bread and animal feed. Barley grass.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Common pests and problems
Frequently asked questions
Barley: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Sep · Plant out: Oct · Harvest: Nov. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Jul. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Jul.
Barley: how often should I water it?
Water about every 5 days in summer and about every 14 days in winter. Moderate watering.
Barley: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 5 cm (2 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 3 cm (1.2 in).
Barley: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 90–120 days.
Barley: which plants grow well with it?
Wheat, Lentil.
Barley: which pests and problems should I watch for?
Powdery mildew, Rust.
Plan your garden
Add Barley to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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