How to Grow Frankfort Emmer
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Frankfort Emmer
Triticum dicoccum
grainFrankfort Emmer is a heritage hulled wheat variety prized for its nutty flavor and nutritional density. This ancient grain has a distinctive awned seed head and produces kernels that retain their hulls, requiring processing before consumption. It is gaining renewed interest among heritage grain farmers and artisanal bakers.
When should you plant Frankfort Emmer in your zone?
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Example Frankfort Emmer timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Frankfort Emmer
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 Frankfort Emmer
Around Aug 15≈ 120 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Frankfort Emmer dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4-7; cold-hardy and well-suited to northern climates
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Get my Frankfort Emmer timeline →Growth Stages
Germination & Emergence
7-14 daysSeeds germinate and first shoots emerge from soil, developing the coleoptile (first leaf sheath).
Ensure consistent moisture but avoid waterlogging. Plant in fall (winter wheat habit) or early spring in cold climates. Soil should be 40-50°F minimum.
Tillering
3-4 weeksPlant develops multiple shoots (tillers) from the base, creating a bushy form with 3-5 shoots per plant.
This is a critical growth phase. Maintain consistent soil moisture and moderate nitrogen. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which promotes lodging. Observe for early pest activity.
Jointing & Boot Stage
2-3 weeksStems elongate and internodes develop. The developing head is enclosed in the leaf sheath (boot stage).
Provide adequate potassium and phosphorus to strengthen stems and prevent lodging. Reduce watering unless drought conditions exist. Monitor for Hessian fly and other stem pests.
Heading & Flowering
7-10 daysThe distinctive awned head emerges from the flag leaf. Small flowers appear between chaff scales; pollination occurs.
This is a critical stage for yield determination. Ensure adequate water, especially if rainfall is scarce. Protect from strong winds that may lodge plants. Watch for head diseases like Fusarium.
Grain Filling & Maturity
4-5 weeksKernels develop and fill with starches and proteins. Heads turn golden-brown as moisture decreases and hulls harden.
Reduce watering; the plant naturally dries down. Monitor for late-season pests and diseases. Harvest when heads are dry and brittle, and kernels cannot be easily dented with a fingernail.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use pest-resistant varieties if available, practice crop rotation, destroy crop residues, plant at appropriate times to avoid pest emergence windows
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Scout fields regularly; use natural predators; insecticidal sprays only if thresholds exceeded; avoid broad-spectrum pesticides that harm beneficials
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Crop rotation, destroy infested crop residues, resistant varieties, early harvesting of affected areas
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Plant resistant varieties, avoid overhead irrigation during flowering, improve air circulation, remove diseased heads, crop rotation
Uses
Whole Grain Cooking & Baking
CulinaryFrankfort Emmer can be cooked whole as a grain, milled into flour for rustic breads, or roasted and cracked. It has a robust, nutty flavor that adds depth to artisanal breads, porridges, and grain bowls. [source]
Ancient Grain Nutrition
CulinaryEmmer is rich in protein, fiber, B vitamins, and minerals including magnesium and manganese. Its retained bran and germ make it more nutritious than modern refined wheat. [source]
Heritage Grain Preservation
HouseholdGrowing and processing Frankfort Emmer supports seed saving traditions and preserves genetic diversity of ancient wheat varieties for future generations. [source]
Straw & Craft Uses
CraftThe long, sturdy awned straw from Emmer is excellent for thatching, animal bedding, weaving, and decorative dried arrangements, valued by craftspeople. [source]
Wildlife Food & Habitat
WildlifeEmmer stands provide seed and shelter for beneficial insects, birds, and small mammals. The crop supports pollinator and predatory insect populations. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest when grain moisture is 15-20% and heads are golden-brown and brittle. Cut stems 4-6 inches above ground using a scythe, combine, or sickle bar mower. Bundle and thresh when completely dry (below 12% moisture for safe storage). Emmer retains its hull after threshing; hull removal requires specialized equipment or stone grinding, or winnowing after roasting.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Frankfort Emmer is one of the world's oldest domesticated crops, with archaeological evidence of cultivation dating back over 10,000 years to the Fertile Crescent. It was a staple grain of ancient Egypt, Rome, and biblical-era societies.
- 🌱 Unlike modern bread wheat, Emmer's hulls remain attached to the grain after threshing, requiring additional processing steps. This hull protects the grain during storage and contributes to its distinctive texture and flavor when cooked.
- 🌱 Frankfort Emmer is experiencing a renaissance among artisanal bakers and heritage grain farmers in North America and Europe, driven by renewed interest in ancient grains, organic farming, and supporting agricultural biodiversity against industrial monoculture.
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