How to Grow Hard Red Winter Wheat 'Lakin'
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Hard Red Winter Wheat 'Lakin'
Triticum aestivum 'Lakin'
grainLakin is a hard red winter wheat variety developed for the Great Plains, particularly suited to Kansas and surrounding regions. It produces medium-tall plants with good grain quality and yield potential. This variety is prized for bread-making due to its protein content and gluten strength.
When should you plant Hard Red Winter Wheat 'Lakin' in your zone?
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Example Hard Red Winter Wheat 'Lakin' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Hard Red Winter Wheat 'Lakin'
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 Hard Red Winter Wheat 'Lakin'
Around Sep 4≈ 140 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Hard Red Winter Wheat 'Lakin' dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 4-8, with optimal performance in zones 5-7 (Great Plains, Midwest)
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Germination & Emergence
10-14 days to emergenceSeeds absorb moisture and send out roots and a shoot. Seedlings emerge with narrow green leaves in fall.
Plant in mid-September to mid-October for optimal cold hardiness. Soil moisture is critical; avoid waterlogged conditions. Prepare seedbed well.
Tillering & Winter Dormancy
October to March (5-6 months)Young plants develop side shoots (tillers) from the base before winter. Growth slows or stops in winter; plants enter dormancy.
Good tillering requires adequate fall moisture and mild conditions. Winter dormancy protects plants from extreme cold. Avoid grazing that removes too much leaf area.
Spring Growth & Jointing
March to April (4-6 weeks)As temperatures warm, plants resume growth. Stems begin to elongate, nodes become visible, and the flag leaf emerges.
Apply spring nitrogen topdress (30-60 lbs N/acre typical) at growth stage 30-32 (start of tillering resumed). Adequate moisture supports stem elongation.
Heading & Flowering
Late April to May (2-3 weeks)Spike (head) emerges from boot stage, flowers open, and pollination occurs. Plant reaches near full height.
Grain fill depends on moisture and nutrient availability. Monitor for Fusarium head blight in humid conditions. Avoid excess nitrogen now to prevent lodging.
Grain Fill & Maturity
May to June (3-4 weeks)Kernels swell with starch and protein. Grain transitions from milk stage to dough stage to hard stage. Leaves yellow; moisture content drops.
Consistent moderate moisture during early grain fill is critical for yield. As grain matures, moisture content drops to 13-15% at harvest. Protect from rain near end of season to maintain grain quality.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Plant after Hessian fly-free date; use resistant varieties when available; manage volunteer wheat and debris
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Scout for larvae; use insecticide if threshold exceeded; encourage natural enemies
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Plant resistant varieties; manage winter annual weeds; no cure once infected, focus on prevention
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Scout for larvae and adult feeding; insecticide if threshold exceeded; clean up debris
Uses
Bread Flour & Baking
CulinaryLakin hard red winter wheat has high protein content (12-14%) and strong gluten development, making it excellent for bread, rolls, and artisan baking. The grain's protein quality produces chewy, well-structured loaves. [source]
Whole Grain & Flour Mills
CulinaryHome millers and small bakeries prize Lakin for grinding into whole wheat flour and refined white flour. The variety produces good yields and consistent milling performance. [source]
Animal Feed & Livestock
HouseholdWheat grain is a valuable feed for cattle, poultry, and other livestock. Straw is used for bedding, mulch, or animal feed supplement. [source]
Straw for Crafts & Building
CraftLong, sturdy straw from Lakin wheat is used in straw bale construction, thatching, weaving, and craft projects. The quality and length make it desirable for these applications. [source]
Cover & Food for Wildlife
WildlifeWheat fields provide habitat and food for upland game birds, songbirds, and other wildlife. Unharvested edges and waste grain support biodiversity. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest when grain moisture reaches 13-15% (late June to early July typically). Kernel should be hard and not dent easily with a thumbnail. Use a combine set for wheat with header at ground level. Store in clean, dry conditions. For small plots, cut, bundle, dry, and thresh by hand or small thresher.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Lakin wheat was developed and named after Lakin, Kansas, reflecting its breeding for High Plains agriculture.
- 🌱 Hard red winter wheat like Lakin has a dormancy period that actually strengthens cold hardiness, allowing it to survive winter temperatures well below -20°F when properly acclimated.
- 🌱 The protein content of Lakin varies by growing conditions and management; well-fertilized crops can reach 14-16% protein, while stressed crops may only achieve 10-11%.
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