How to Germinate & Dehydrate Barley

Germinating Barley

• 1

  Prepare the barley plot by tilling under the previous season's growth. Send a soil sample to your local University extension three months before planting to determine the specific nutrients lacking in your plot. Strive for a pH of 6.0. Pay special attention to nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and manganese levels recommendations on your report.

• 2

  Use a probe thermometer to test soil temperature. Prepare to plant barley when the soil's temperature has reached at least 34 F. Retest the soil prior to planting if a large amount of amendment was required.

• 3

  Plant barley seeds at a depth of 1.5 to 2.5 inches so seeds maintain a constant level of moisture. Space seeds 6 inches apart in rows that are also 6 inches apart. Use a hoe to create a series of furrows to speed up planting. Keep the soil damp by watering regularly. Watch for germination in three to seven days. Replant any barley that hasn't sprouted by day 10.

Drying Barley

• 4

  Select a few heads of barley once it has reached the hard dough stage. Press the light yellow grains on the heads with your thumbnail and watch for denting. Break off a few of the heads that do not dent if the majority of the plot is golden in color.

• 5

  Weigh the heads on a kitchen scale while you preheat your oven to 140 to 150 F. Place the grain heads in a pie tin and put the tin in the oven for at least 12 hours to dry. Weigh the cooled grain after 12 hours. Estimate the level of moisture in your grain by first subtracting the dry weight from the wet weight. Divide that number by the wet weight number, then multiply the result by 100. Barley is ready to be harvested at 13 to 14 percent moisture for best results.

• 6

  Cut the barley stalks 3 to 4 inches from the ground level using a hand scythe or bypass pruners. Place the cut plants head-first into a paper bag, picking out the greenest grains, and leave in a dry place for up to 10 days. Dry grain in the field by bundling armloads of barley loosely and leaning bundles against each other in a tee pee shape.