How to Grow Hulled Barley

Wikimedia Commons

Hulled Barley

Hordeum vulgare var. nudum

grain

Hulled barley is a whole grain cereal crop where the outer hull has been removed, leaving the nutrient-rich bran and germ intact. It is a cool-season annual grass grown primarily for its edible grains, which are used in brewing, cooking, and animal feed. Unlike pearled barley, hulled barley retains most of its nutritional content and fiber.

Looking for a specific variety?

Morex Prisma Harrington Rowena Lacey Quest

When should you plant Hulled Barley in your zone?

Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.

Get my Hulled Barley timeline →

Example Hulled Barley timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Hulled Barley
Around Apr 17

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

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Hulled Barley
Around Jul 16

≈ 90 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 6+ hours daily; prefers bright, open growing conditions

💧

Water: Moderate moisture needs; 15-20 inches of rainfall or irrigation annually. Requires consistent moisture during germination and tillering; reduce watering as grain matures to prevent disease

📏

Spacing: Broadcast at 1.5-2 million seeds per acre; for small-scale gardens, sow at approximately 1-1.5 inches apart in rows 6-12 inches apart inches

📅

Days to maturity: 90-120 days from planting to harvest

🌱

Planting depth: 0.5-1 inch deep

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with good fertility

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Compost or aged manure for nitrogen Phosphate for root development Potassium for grain quality Avoid excessive nitrogen which promotes lodging

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 2-7; prefers cool climates with moderate rainfall

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a

Get my Hulled Barley timeline →

Growth Stages

Germination & Emergence

1-2 weeks

Seeds germinate in soil within 7-14 days; first shoots and roots emerge; pale shoots break through soil surface

Ensure consistent soil moisture without waterlogging; protect young seedlings from birds and heavy rains that cause crusting

Tillering & Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Plant develops multiple shoots from the base (tillers); grass-like leaves elongate; root system deepens; plant reaches 4-8 inches tall

Monitor for slugs and cutworms; ensure adequate moisture and nitrogen; weed regularly to reduce competition

Jointing & Stem Elongation

2-3 weeks

Visible stem nodes appear; plant height increases rapidly to 12-24 inches; leaf blade and sheath development continues; spike begins to form inside stem

Watch for lodging if weather is windy or rainfall excessive; reduce nitrogen at this stage; scout for pests and fungal diseases

Heading & Flowering

1-2 weeks

Spike (seed head) emerges from boot; small flowers develop; plant reaches full height; grain appears green and immature

Critical water period; ensure consistent moisture; monitor for Septoria leaf blotch and powdery mildew; avoid pesticides during flowering

Grain Maturation & Harvest Readiness

2-3 weeks

Grain fills and hardens; awns become prominent; color shifts from green to golden-brown; plant desiccates and stems dry

Reduce watering as grain approaches maturity; allow fields to dry down; monitor moisture content (target 12-14% for storage); harvest when stems snap easily and grain resists thumbnail pressure

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Nitrogen-fixing legumes (peas, beans, clover) Oats Rye Vetch

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Allelopathic species (black walnut) Heavy feeders that compete for nutrients

Common Pests

Plant resistant varieties; avoid early planting in susceptible regions; rotate crops and manage crop residue
Scout regularly; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) if threshold exceeded; remove affected plants
Avoid early spring plantings in high-risk areas; use resistant varieties
Remove plant debris and weeds; use baits containing iron phosphate; encourage ground beetles
Ensure good air circulation; avoid excessive nitrogen; use sulfur sprays if severe; plant resistant varieties
Remove infected leaves; improve drainage; rotate crops; apply fungicides in severe cases

Uses

🍳

Whole Grain & Nutritious Cooking

Culinary

Hulled barley is used as a chewy, nutty-flavored whole grain in soups, stews, grain bowls, and side dishes. Unlike pearled barley, it retains the bran layer and most dietary fiber, making it a wholesome staple grain. [source]

🍳

Brewing & Malting

Culinary

Barley is the primary grain used in beer and whisky production. The grain is malted to convert starches into fermentable sugars, then used in brewing and distillation processes. [source]

💊

Nutritional & Health Benefits

Medicinal

Hulled barley is rich in beta-glucans, soluble fiber that supports heart health and blood sugar regulation. It has been used in traditional medicine and is recognized for cholesterol-lowering and digestive benefits. [source]

🏠

Animal Feed & Fodder

Household

Barley grain and straw are widely used as nutritious feed for livestock, including cattle, poultry, and horses. The whole plant can be grazed or harvested for hay. [source]

🍳

Flour & Baking

Culinary

Barley can be milled into flour for baking, creating dense, flavorful breads and baked goods. Barley flour is naturally gluten-free in its structure but contains a small amount of gluten in the grain itself. [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 reaches physiological maturity (hard dough stage) and moisture content is 12-14%. Stems should snap cleanly when bent. Cut with a scythe or grain cradle for small plots, or use a combine harvester for larger areas. Dry harvested grain to 10-12% moisture for safe storage. Thresh to separate grain from chaff using traditional flail, mortar and pestle, or grain thresher.

Fun Facts

🌱 Barley is one of the oldest cultivated grains, with evidence of cultivation dating back over 10,000 years to the Fertile Crescent.
🌱 Hulled barley retains the bran and germ, making it significantly more nutritious than pearled barley, which has these layers removed; hulled barley takes longer to cook (45-60 minutes vs. 25-30 minutes).
🌱 Barley is a key ingredient in beer production and has been used in brewing since ancient Mesopotamia; it is the most widely used grain in the world for malt production.

Gardening Terms

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

Annual Full Sun Germination pH

Shop Hulled Barley plants and related plants at Plant Addicts →

Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.

Get your personalized Hulled Barley planting timeline

Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Hulled Barley seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.

Get my Hulled Barley timeline →