Growing grains for baking flour is an essential part of achieving self-sufficiency and living sustainably off the grid. The right grains provide a good source of calories and nutrients to supplement vegetables grown in the garden. This article will cover the best grain crops for baking flour suited to different regions and seasons across the United States.
When choosing grains, the main considerations are:
- High yielding in your climate and soil conditions
- Good storage qualities when dried
- Suitability for making nutritious baked goods
The article is structured in sections first covering good all-round staple grains for baking flour, then nutritious specialty grains, and finally details on grain varieties suited to different USDA planting zones and seasonal planting times.
Staple Grains for Baking Flour
These grains make great staple crops for baking nutritious breads and other baked goods as part of a self-sufficient lifestyle.
Hard Red Wheat
Hard red wheat is the best all-round performer for baking. Its high protein content gives excellent rising properties and chewy texture perfect for bread. The reddish bran adds nice color and flavor. It stores very well when dried with low moisture content. Plant in early spring or fall. Expect around 25 bushels per acre.
Soft White Wheat
Lower in protein than hard wheat, soft white wheat has excellent pastry making qualities. Its soft texture is perfect for cakes, cookies and crackers. Stores reasonably well when thoroughly dried. Best planted in spring or fall and can yield up to 40 bushels per acre.
Rye
A hardy, high yielding grain crop that grows well across most regions. Rye flour adds dense, rich flavor to breads. Stores better than most grains so great for off grid food reserves. Plant in early spring or fall and expect 20-30 bushels per acre.
Corn
While not a top bread grain, corn supplies high energy and can be ground into cornmeal for flatbreads, muffins and pancakes. Flint and flour corn varieties are best for grinding. Grows across most regions in summer. Expect around 200 bushels per acre for drying and storage.
Nutritious Specialty Grains
These grains provide variety and excellent nutrition. They generally don’t store as well or yield as much as staple grains.
Buckwheat
A versatile, fast growing pseudo grain suited to northern regions. Buckwheat flour is gluten free and has a strong, earthy flavor used in pancakes and noodles. Plant after frost risk passes and again in late summer. Yield 15-20 bushels per acre.
Quinoa
A nutritious small seed grain producing a light, fluffy gluten free flour. Grows fast in summer across most regions. Prone to bird attack so cover with netting after sprouting. Yield around 30 bushels per acre.
Amaranth
A tall summer grain producing tiny gluten free seeds very high in protein. The flour has a malty flavor good for baking. Expect around 15 bushels per acre.
Oats
Oats don’t make the best flour but rolled oats bulk up baked goods with nutrition. Oats grow fast in cool conditions across northern regions. Plant early spring and expect around 60 bushels per acre.
Regional Varieties and Planting Times
Choosing locally adapted grain varieties matched to your USDA zone and seasonal planting times is key to good yields. Here are some examples:
Zones 3-6:
Spring planting:
- Hard red spring wheat – Glenn, Walworth
- Winter rye – Abruzzi, Musketeer
- Oats – Jerry, Noble
Fall planting:
- Hard red winter wheat – Fuller, Santa Fe
- Rye – Musketeer, Abruzzi
Zones 5-9:
Spring planting:
- Soft white winter wheat – Madsen, ORCF-102
- Corn – Floriani Red Flint (northern), Hopi Blue (southern)
- Buckwheat – Mancan, Manor
Summer planting:
- Quinoa – Cherry Vanilla, French Vanilla
- Amaranth – Burgundy, Golden Giant
Zones 7-10:
Spring planting:
- Soft white spring wheat – Fielder, IDO702
- Corn – Oaxacan Green, Hopi Blue
Summer planting:
- Sorghum – Mennonite, Rox Orange
- Amaranth – Burgundy, Golden Giant
Conclusion
I hope this overview gives you a great starting point to begin growing grains for baking nutritious breads and other flour goods as part of a self-sufficient off grid lifestyle. Pay attention to variety selection for your location and seasonal planting times. With a little trial and error, you can achieve reliable harvests to process and store for year-round use. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Citations:
[1] https://www.homestead.org/gardening/staple-crops-for-the-homestead-seeking-self-sufficiency/
[2] https://homestead-honey.com/homestead-to-do-list/
[3] https://www.ice.edu/blog/fresh-milled-flour
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-HVcz1OWYM
[5] https://kindfibers.com/2022/03/19/what-to-plant-in-a-survival-victory-garden/
[6] https://www.anoffgridlife.com/gardening-off-the-grid/
[7] https://fabflour.co.uk/fab-flour/how-flour-is-milled/
[8] https://electriciancourses4u.co.uk/useful-resources/life-with-no-electricity/
[9] https://www.epicgardening.com/survival-garden/
[10] https://wwoofusa.org/en/host/46406-small-off-grid-farm-growing-veggies-in-the-forest-of-rainer-wa-using-sustainable-permaculture-method
[11] https://www.theperfectloaf.com/how-to-freshly-mill-flour-at-home-for-baking/
[12] https://wildoaktrail.com/blogs/off-grid-living/off-grid-living-12-things-you-can-do-to-grow-your-own-food
[13] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPxOY3muSKo
[14] https://forum.breadtopia.com/t/create-ap-flour-from-whole-grain/9113
[15] https://theprepared.com/homestead/guides/best-garden-crops/
[16] https://www.clydesvegetableplantingchart.com
[17] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8vLjPctrcU
[18] https://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/staple-crops-zm0z13jjzsto/
[19] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLxcTYL2-UA
[20] https://aberlehome.com/milling-flour-at-home/
[21] https://discover.texasrealfood.com/grow-your-own-food/best-crops-for-survival-gardens
[22] https://livingoffgrid.home.blog/2020/01/27/living-off-grid-how-to-plant-an-off-grid-backyard-vegetable-garden/
[23] https://www.britannica.com/topic/flour
[24] http://crisistimes.com/offgrid_plants.php
[25] https://www.artfulhomemaking.com/how-to-make-flour/
