How to Grow Dicoccum Wheat
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Dicoccum Wheat
Triticum turgidum dicoccum
grassDicoccum wheat, also known as hulled wheat or spelt's ancestor, is an ancient hulled grain crop with a distinctive appearance featuring tightly adhering glumes that encase each kernel. This hardy, nutrient-dense grain has been cultivated for over 8,000 years and is gaining renewed interest in organic and artisanal baking. The plant is more resistant to diseases and pests than modern bread wheat, making it ideal for low-input farming systems.
When should you plant Dicoccum Wheat in your zone?
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Example Dicoccum Wheat timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Dicoccum Wheat
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Dicoccum Wheat
Around Aug 15≈ 120 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Dicoccum Wheat dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4-7, with excellent cold hardiness and moderate heat tolerance
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Get my Dicoccum Wheat timeline →Growth Stages
Germination & Emergence
7-14 daysSeeds absorb moisture and send out first root (radicle) followed by emergence of first leaf shoots through soil surface.
Ensure soil moisture is consistent for 7-10 days after planting. Soil temperature should be 40-50°F minimum for germination. Sow fall wheat in late September-October; spring wheat in March-April depending on zone.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksPlant develops multiple tillers (shoots) from base, with 3-5 leaves per tiller. Root system expands deeply into soil. Plant is primarily green foliage at this stage.
Apply moderate nitrogen fertilizer (20-30 lbs/acre) at this stage. Keep area weed-free through cultivation or organic mulching. Monitor for pest presence. Adequate moisture supports tillering.
Boot & Heading
2-3 weeksLeaf sheaths swell (boot stage) as flower head develops inside. Head emerges from sheath (heading), revealing the distinctive spiky appearance characteristic of dicoccum with its enclosed florets.
Reduce nitrogen to avoid excessive vegetative growth and lodging. Ensure consistent moisture during head development. Scout for Hessian flies and other head-attacking pests.
Flowering & Grain Fill
3-4 weeksFlorets within each spikelet flower (usually self-pollinating), and kernels develop and accumulate starch and protein. Grain transitions from soft/milky stage to hard dough stage.
Maintain consistent moisture; water stress at this stage reduces yield and quality. No additional nitrogen needed. Monitor for Fusarium and other fungal diseases in wet conditions.
Maturity & Harvest
1-2 weeksKernels fully harden, stalks dry and tan. Heads droop slightly and kernels are hard to dent with fingernail. Plant is physiologically mature and ready for harvest.
Allow to dry completely in field before harvest if possible. Moisture should be 12-13% for safe storage. Harvest with combine or by hand/scythe for small plots. Time harvest before heavy rains to preserve quality.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Plant resistant varieties; adjust planting dates to avoid pest emergence; destroy crop residue; use sulfur-based insecticides as last resort
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Handpick on small plots; monitor with pheromone traps; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) if infestation is severe; encourage beneficial parasitoid wasps
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Plant resistant varieties; remove volunteer wheat; avoid planting near cereal crops; use sulfur dust if mite populations rise
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Plant resistant varieties; improve air circulation; avoid excess nitrogen; remove infected plant material; fungicide application at heading stage in wet years
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Plant resistant varieties; ensure good air circulation; apply sulfur-based fungicides if needed; avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization
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Plant resistant varieties; remove infected leaves; apply fungicides at flag leaf stage in susceptible varieties; monitor for early signs
Uses
Ancient Grain Baking & Nutrition
CulinaryDicoccum wheat produces a distinctive nutty-flavored flour prized by artisanal bakers for whole grain breads, pasta, and pastries. It has higher protein, mineral (magnesium, zinc, iron), and fiber content compared to refined modern wheat. [source]
Whole Grain & Grain Berry Cooking
CulinaryThe hulled berries can be cooked whole (after removing hulls) as a chewy grain side dish similar to farro, or soaked and sprouted for added digestibility and nutrient bioavailability. [source]
Sustainable & Organic Agriculture
HouseholdDicoccum is particularly valuable in organic farming systems due to its natural disease resistance, lower pesticide requirements, and ability to thrive in poor soils with minimal synthetic inputs. [source]
Whole Grain Health & Antioxidants
MedicinalDicoccum wheat contains beneficial polyphenols and antioxidants associated with reduced inflammation and cardiovascular health benefits, especially when consumed as whole grain. [source]
Pollinator & Bird Habitat
WildlifeDicoccum wheat fields provide habitat and food for beneficial insects, ground-nesting birds, and seed-eating birds in mature grain stands, supporting farm biodiversity. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest when stalks are golden-tan and kernels are hard (hard dough stage), typically late July-August in most zones. Cut stalks 4-6 inches above ground with a scythe or grain binder, or use a combine harvester. Allow freshly cut grain to dry in bundles (shocks) for 1-2 weeks in the field if weather permits, achieving 12-13% moisture before storage. The hulls are tightly adhered to the kernel, so threshing requires a flail, impact thresher, or mechanical threshing; traditional winnowing removes chaff and light material. For small-scale harvest, hand-thresh bundles by beating against a sheet or use foot-treadle threshers.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Dicoccum wheat has been cultivated since approximately 8000 BCE in the Fertile Crescent and was a staple grain of ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, making it one of humanity's oldest domesticated crops.
- 🌱 The name 'dicoccum' refers to the two-seeded floret structure unique to hulled wheats; the grain is also called 'farro' in Italy and 'hulled wheat' colloquially, though true farro refers to Triticum turgidum dicoccum specifically.
- 🌱 Unlike modern bread wheat (Triticum aestivum), dicoccum wheat retains its glumes (chaffy coating) after threshing, protecting the grain during storage and contributing to its longer shelf life and natural pest resistance.
Gardening Terms
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