Who was looking for heirloom grain seeds?

[lorna-organic]

I remember somebody asking about where to obtain spelt seed, or something like that. I don't know who it was, or what thread. I was looking for something else and came across this Web site, which may be of interest. They have non hybrid seeds for spelt, barley, wheat, and more.

http://www.non-hybrid-seeds.com/nonhybridgrainseeds.html

[ovenbird]

I am interested in rice seed. I found it only one place online and it was VERY pricey!

[melodyelf]

thanks, lorna! I did not post the original request, but I am very interested. I shall check out that site. :)

[RozieDozie]

Thanks, Lorna. I've been looking for rice seed, although I didn't ask specifically here. I guess you read my mind. ;)

Well, after looking at the site, I can't find any grain seeds that are for sale. Maybe I'm doing it wrong. :confused:

Rozie

[mjc]

It looks like a 'doom and gloom' profiteering 'heirloom' seed site...their seeds are sold in 'packs' ($249 for a little over 2 lbs of seed that is about half wheat..)

I couldn't find any ratings on it at Dave's Garden...

[lorna-organic]

Oh darn, maybe they only sell the grains in their large collections. I sent them an Email to inquire.

I did another search. I found this Web site which sells small grain packs. Rice isn't in their listing. They have photos of the seed heads of all of the grains they offer, and good growing information.

http://www.sustainableseedco.com/grains/

Here is one for wild rice:

http://74.208.72.86/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=159&zenid=2r7m6e3ajsd4kelb443d5fv312

This is an article about growing rice at home. It says to use organic bulk long grain brown rice from a food store as your source of seed.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/732313/how_to_grow_rice_in_your_garden.html?cat=6

[tweed]

olderthandirt was looking for sorghum seed for grain. Maybe that is it Lorna?

Steve

[lorna-organic]

I posted on this thread, too, Steve. :)

[Denninmi]

I ordered seed rice from sproutpeople.com last year. It's sold for making sprouts, but obviously will grow into a plant as well. I think they have 3 or 4 kinds. Relatively cheap -- about $6 to $7 a lb.

[RozieDozie]

Thanks Lorna and Dennis!

Rozie

[bruce2288]

Almost all commercially grown small grains( oats, wheat, barley and rye) are NOT hybrid. They are sold as different varieties, much the same as heirloom tomatoes. Go to a local feed store or grain elevator and inquire. Oats for horses will grow you oats. Abushel of wheat, I think 60 lbs will cost between 6-7 dollars. Why any one would grow their own small grains is beyond me, find a farmer give him a premium and buy what you need. Or better yet bake a couple loaves of bread and trade for a bushel. Most wheat is not sprayed for insects or weeds.

[mjc]

Why any one would grow their own small grains is beyond me, find a farmer give him a premium and buy what you need.

Easy for you maybe...but there are only two farmers in this county that grow corn...last count, none growing any other small grain. Grass/clover are easy to get here...that's about it, though. Buckwheat has been grown around here in the past, but not any more, so it isn't even found for sale.

Lorna...here's a better one for wild rice...

http://www.everwilde.com/store/Zizania-aquatica-Seed.html

[lorna-organic]

I'm sure harvesting the grain is going to be a giant pain, but I'm trying amaranth this year.

[bunkie]

I ordered seed rice from sproutpeople.com last year. It's sold for making sprouts, but obviously will grow into a plant as well. I think they have 3 or 4 kinds. Relatively cheap -- about $6 to $7 a lb.

hey dennis, are you going to try growing rice again this year? to all who have not read our posts, last year we both figured out that rice likes heat. it snowed here in June and was in the 30's so killed our crop. i can't remember, but think dennis was leaving his in the greenhouse.

i received some Weeping Rice Grass or Alpine Rice from a friend in Australia. it's kind of a thinner grain, but grows in plain dirt and can handle cold. i also am going to try some bulk wild rice from the grocery store, and maybe a little bulk brown rice, too.

last year i grew perennial rye (Mounaineer) and perennial wheat (Ebzeer) from Peters Seed Research, but i see they are out of both seeds this year. the guy who ran the place developed these perennial grains. i had a super harvest of the wheat, only 75 plus plants i started in the greenhouse, but very few of them are coming back this year. the rye formed heads, but gave no seed last fall. it came up like crazy this spring. the plants are almost 4 fee high now and are starting to put on seed. i'll be planting more wheat and rye this year to establish some permanent patches.

also grew barley last year and am going to grow amaranth, quinoa and millet and hulless oats this year as well. Bountiful gardens has many of these graains also.

[herb girl]

My goal is to grow "emmer" the original wheat talked about in the bible (NKJV). I only know of ONE farm growing it in Montana (I think?). And at 2.86 a lb. and expensive shipping I need to try my own.

Why emmer? Because many people that are intolerant to regular wheat can eat emmer, especially when it's been soured (as in sour dough).

So, in answer to the question "why not buy from the farmer", many people want to grow unusual things OR they want them grown organically.

[older than dirt]

I was looking for grain sorghum a while back . Found some that should work at sand hill preservation center. Am allso trying some white african from Baker Creek

[Nastarana]

What ever became of the Kusa society? they were prospecting for, and growing out historical and obscure grains in the 1980s. It would be a shame if they were no longer around.

[lorna-organic]

Never heard of them, Nastarana, but you piqued my interest. They are still around:

http://www.ancientcerealgrains.org/