🌾 Wheat: Growing Guide
Wheat (Triticum aestivum) grows best in full sun with moderate watering, and does well at 0–28 °C (32–82 °F) in soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Space plants about 5 cm (2 in) apart. Expect 100–130 days.
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Triticum aestivum |
|---|---|
| Category | Grains |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Moderate |
| Plant spacing | 5 cm (2 in) |
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.0 |
| Comfortable temperature | 0–28 °C (32–82 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 100–130 days |
| Sowing depth | 3 cm (1.2 in) |
| Height | 60–120 cm (24–47 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 | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | ||||||||
| Continental | Sow | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | ||||||||
| Oceanic | Sow | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | ||||||||
| Subtropical | Sow | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | ||||
| Tropical | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||
| Cold / Northern | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Sep–Oct · Plant out: Nov · Harvest: Dec.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May–Jun · Harvest: Jul.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May–Jun · Harvest: Jul.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Sow: Jan, Sep · Plant out: Feb–Mar, Oct · Harvest: Apr–May, Nov.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Sow: Jan, Jul · Plant out: Feb, Aug · Harvest: Mar–Apr, Sep–Oct.
- 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. Depends on the growth stage.
Growing tips
Winter crop. Hard (pasta) vs soft (bread) types. A history of 10,000+ years.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Common pests and problems
Frequently asked questions
Wheat: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Sep–Oct · Plant out: Nov · Harvest: Dec. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May–Jun · Harvest: Jul. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May–Jun · Harvest: Jul.
Wheat: how often should I water it?
Water about every 5 days in summer and about every 14 days in winter. Depends on the growth stage.
Wheat: 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).
Wheat: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 100–130 days.
Wheat: which plants grow well with it?
Lentil, Chickpea.
Wheat: which pests and problems should I watch for?
Wheat rust, Septoria.
Plan your garden
Add Wheat 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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