How to Grow Einkorn Dicoccoides

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Einkorn Dicoccoides

Triticum turgidum subsp. dicoccoides

grass

Einkorn Dicoccoides, also known as wild emmer wheat, is an ancient hulled wheat species and the direct wild progenitor of modern wheat. This hardy grain features distinctive spikelets with tough hulls that require threshing and contains a rich nutritional profile including higher protein and mineral content than modern wheat varieties. It is a diploid wheat with excellent flavor and is increasingly cultivated by specialty growers and heritage grain enthusiasts.

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Example Einkorn Dicoccoides timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Einkorn Dicoccoides
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Einkorn Dicoccoides
Around Aug 15

≈ 120 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Einkorn Dicoccoides dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, minimum 6 hours daily, preferably 8+ hours

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Water: Moderate to drought-tolerant once established. Water during germination and early growth. Reduce irrigation as plant matures. Requires approximately 12-15 inches of annual rainfall or supplemental water.

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Spacing: 6-8 inches between plants in rows; rows 8-10 inches apart for broadcast seeding; direct sow at 1.5-2 million seeds per acre inches

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Days to maturity: 120-150 days from planting to harvest-ready grain

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Planting depth: 1-1.5 inches deep

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy to sandy soil, tolerates poor soil conditions

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Compost for organic matter Mineral fertilizer if soil is depleted Avoid excessive nitrogen (promotes lodging)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 4-7, cold-hardy and drought-tolerant

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a

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Growth Stages

Germination & Establishment

2-3 weeks

Seeds germinate within 7-10 days under proper moisture conditions. Young seedlings emerge with two cotyledons and develop the first true leaves.

Maintain consistent soil moisture during germination. Protect seedlings from bird predation. Ensure adequate drainage to prevent damping off.

Vegetative Growth & Tillering

4-6 weeks

Plant develops multiple shoots (tillers) from the base, creating a denser canopy. Leaves are blue-green and lance-shaped. Root system deepens significantly.

Monitor for competing weeds during this critical period. Minimal fertilizer needed unless soil is very poor. Plant establishes drought tolerance during this phase.

Stem Elongation & Boot Stage

3-4 weeks

Main stem and tillers elongate rapidly. The flowering structure (head) develops within the leaf sheath (boot). Plant may reach 30-36 inches in height.

Reduce watering to encourage stronger stem development. Watch for lodging in very fertile soils. This stage is sensitive to frost damage in spring plantings.

Flowering & Grain Development

2-3 weeks

Distinctive compound spikelets emerge with brittle rachis and tough glumes. Florets flower and anthers emerge. Grain begins to develop within florets.

Provide light supplemental watering if extremely dry. Monitor for Hessian flies and Frit flies. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization.

Grain Fill & Maturation

4-5 weeks

Grain fills with starch and becomes hard. Hulls remain tight around grain. Plant dries down, turning golden-brown. Moisture content drops from 40% to 12-15%.

No irrigation needed. Monitor for late-season pests. Harvest when grain is hard (dent stage) and plant is fully desiccated.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Legumes (nitrogen fixation—peas, beans, vetches) Rye (disease suppression in rotations) Alfalfa (crop rotation) Clover (cover crop in rotation)

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas in tight rotation (different pest pressures) Potatoes (compete for resources in intensive systems) Sunflowers (allelopathic compounds) Previously wheat-infested fields without break (disease carryover)

Common Pests

Use resistant varieties if available; rotate fields annually; destroy crop residue; avoid early fall planting in high-pressure areas
Delayed planting in fall; removal of volunteer cereals; crop rotation; resistant varieties
Crop rotation; destroy infested stubble; tillage to bury pupae; variety selection
Monitor during vegetative growth; biological controls; avoid early seeding near infested grass fields
Good air circulation; avoid excessive nitrogen; resistant varieties; remove infected leaves if severe
Crop rotation; remove crop residue; resistant varieties; avoid overhead irrigation

Uses

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Ancient grain flour & whole grain cooking

Culinary

Einkorn Dicoccoides produces flour with distinctive nutty flavor and higher protein content (18-20%) than modern wheat. Used for bread baking, pasta, porridge, and whole grain dishes in heritage cooking. [source]

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Nutritional superiority

Culinary

Contains elevated levels of carotenoids, lutein, and minerals (zinc, magnesium, iron) compared to modern wheat. Higher gluten quality contributes to superior baking properties and flavor complexity. [source]

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Potential digestibility benefits

Medicinal

Some individuals report improved digestibility compared to modern wheat, possibly due to different gluten structure and lower yield-selection breeding. Research on ancient wheat and celiac disease remains ongoing. [source]

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Sustainable heritage seed production

Household

Einkorn Dicoccoides is a heritage grain that preserves genetic diversity and agricultural history. Seed saving and cultivation support food sovereignty and sustainable farming practices. [source]

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Beneficial insect habitat

Wildlife

Standing grain fields provide shelter and forage for beneficial insects, ground-nesting birds, and pollinators. Grain crops support agricultural 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 grain is in the hard dough stage (cannot dent with fingernail) and the plant is completely golden and dry. Cut plants with a scythe, sickle, or small grain combine at approximately 12-15% moisture content. Einkorn requires threshing to remove the hull from the grain. Use a flail, thresher, or hand-rubbing method. Winnow to remove chaff. Store dried grain in cool, dry conditions with moisture content below 12% to prevent mold and insect damage.

Fun Facts

🌱 Einkorn Dicoccoides is the direct wild ancestor of domesticated wheat and represents a crucial link in human agricultural history, domesticated roughly 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent.
🌱 The tough hulls of Einkorn Dicoccoides tightly envelope the grain kernel, providing excellent protection during storage and threshing but requiring additional processing steps—a characteristic that actually improves food security by preventing pest damage and mold.
🌱 Einkorn contains higher levels of carotenoids (responsible for yellow coloration of flour) and lutein than modern wheat, giving it superior nutritional density and contributing to its distinctive golden color when processed.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Annual Damping Off Full Sun Germination pH True Leaves

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