Small amount of old-style Spring wheat seed - where to get?

[Danllan]

My oldest boy has set his head to growing some wheat; we are in lamb and beef, so we don't have any kit for arable and this is going to be an allotment sized patch - hopefully once.

I know SFA about arable and have had nothing to do with any such crops in this country for over thirty years, in fact the merchant my late father used died before him.

Anyway, an internet search has revealed plenty of places that will sell a large amount but - since I don't want any really expensive hen food - none that will supply say 10 kgs. I'd prefer him to have a go with an older and taller variety - he wants to try thatching something as well...

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

 

[Bogweevil]

Spelt or einkorn, wheat is so last century, no one bothers with it now https://copeseeds.co.uk/products/niche-crops/#spelt

 

[Barleycorn]

Michael Marriage Doves Farm https://www.dovesfarm.co.uk/#

 

[Danllan]

Spelt or einkorn, wheat is so last century, no one bothers with it now https://copeseeds.co.uk/products/niche-crops/#spelt

Michael Marriage Doves Farm https://www.dovesfarm.co.uk/#

Thanks for those, but I can't see where small quantities of seed grain are available from them... probably me being thick, but I've looked and can't see it... ~

 

[Chae1]

@martian had a speaker at groundswell who was growing old cereal varieties and multiplying seed. Was in tent at bottom corner.

 

[Pieces_of_Eight]

Organic Spelt Grain Certified Organic | eBay

In recent years it has enjoyed renewed popularity as a health food. Organic Spelt Grain by Hatton Hill Organic. Organically grown, harvested and dried in Germany. Our organic spelt grain has an authentic, subtle flavour with notes of pecan and bran, making it a hearty addition to any dish.

www.ebay.co.uk

Would this be ok?

 

[Danllan]

Organic Spelt Grain Certified Organic | eBay

In recent years it has enjoyed renewed popularity as a health food. Organic Spelt Grain by Hatton Hill Organic. Organically grown, harvested and dried in Germany. Our organic spelt grain has an authentic, subtle flavour with notes of pecan and bran, making it a hearty addition to any dish.

www.ebay.co.uk

Would this be ok?

No, I'm after something like the below, which I've just come across. Continuing my thickness, I can't see any links to suppliers on that website, so have e-mailed them.

April Bearded - wheat database gateway portal - Brockwell Bake

April Bearded - online database of world wheat germplasm from the Brockwell Bake Association with maps of collection sites

brockwell-bake.org.uk

 

[Boysground]

If you want to broaden the search for seed quite a lot of triticale is used for thatching now. The ridges on my house are. You probably need to find somebody who grows thatching straw.

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[Danllan]

If you want to broaden the search for seed quite a lot of triticale is used for thatching now. The ridges on my house are. You probably need to find somebody who grows thatching straw.

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Good idea, thatch isn't common around here, I'll make some enquiries.

 

[Pieces_of_Eight]

No, I'm after something like the below, which I've just come across.

There is someone on twitter called 'Heritage Wheat' who has trials and plots?

 

[martian]

@martian had a speaker at groundswell who was growing old cereal varieties and multiplying seed. Was in tent at bottom corner.

Can't remember who that was embarassingly, although we are growing some this year. The law is very strange with these old varieties, you can't buy, sell or give away the seed, though you can lend seed to people, but it remains your possession. Or something. Martin Wolfe had a hell of a job getting his blend of varieties licensed for selling, it's now available as Wakelyn's Population, or YQ. Good stuff it is too.
There are precious few spring varieties about, we got some spring spelt from Germany, but it yielded so badly we gave up with it, not least as we never got much of a price for it. Einkorn can be spring or autumn drilled...cheap to grow as it smothers all weeds and gets no diseases, but, like spelt, you do need to de-hull the grain post harvest.

 

[Bogweevil]

The very wonderful Cotswold seeds sell small quantities of wheat: https://www.cotswoldseeds.com/products/1660/wheat-spring-organic-triticum-aestivum

In civilized countries wheat is often offered in small quantities: https://www.semence-biologique.fr/c...552-semences-biologiques-ble-a-quintus-2.html I presume the Brexit madness has not curtailed this trade?

 

[aledjones3130]

My oldest boy has set his head to growing some wheat; we are in lamb and beef, so we don't have any kit for arable and this is going to be an allotment sized patch - hopefully once.

I know SFA about arable and have had nothing to do with any such crops in this country for over thirty years, in fact the merchant my late father used died before him.

Anyway, an internet search has revealed plenty of places that will sell a large amount but - since I don't want any really expensive hen food - none that will supply say 10 kgs. I'd prefer him to have a go with an older and taller variety - he wants to try thatching something as well...

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Try Western seeds in Whitland,turn left by the Fishers pub,go round the back of the yard,there in one of the big sheds by there,they sell small bags

 

[bitwrx]

I grew some spring wheat in my water trough garden when I lived in Bristol. I harvested it with my penknife and threshed it by hand, then sent it through the nutri-bullet and used it as the base for a sourdough starter. Was a fun little project, when I had time for these things.

The seeds were originally collected from a field on a limestone plateau, not far from the Gorge du Verdon in Provence. I just picked them and stuck them in the car.

A neighbour of ours grew some spring wheat for seed at ours in 2018 and we subsequently planted a wood on part of that field. There was a good crop of wheat volunteers in the wood last year. If they come again I can pick some ears for you, but it obviously won't be ready for this year's planting.

 

[Danllan]

Try Western seeds in Whitland,turn left by the Fishers pub,go round the back of the yard,there in one of the big sheds by there,they sell small bags

Thanks for that, I'd not heard of them, I'll go down and have a chat.

 

[SteveNewport93]

Anybody know/heard of Chidham Red? Apparently an old Sussex heritage variety. Looking for a small batch. Thanks