How to Grow Hulless Barley
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Hulless Barley
Hordeum vulgare var. nudum
grassHulless barley is a grain crop where the hull (outer husk) separates easily from the kernel during threshing, unlike conventional hulled barley. This cereal grain is prized for its nutritional content, ease of processing, and versatility in food production. It grows as a cool-season annual grass reaching 2-3 feet tall.
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Example Hulless Barley timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Hulless Barley
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 Hulless Barley
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Hulless Barley dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-8; prefers cool-season climates with moderate moisture
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Germination & Emergence
2-3 weeksSeeds germinate in 7-10 days; single shoots emerge from soil showing first leaves
Ensure soil moisture is consistent; protect from birds and heavy rain that may cause crusting. Soil temperature should be 40-50°F minimum for germination.
Tillering & Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksMultiple shoots develop from the base; plant becomes bushy with 4-6 tillers per plant. Roots deepen significantly.
Apply moderate nitrogen fertilizer at this stage to support leaf and stem development. Ensure adequate moisture. Monitor for early pests.
Boot & Heading
2-3 weeksFlower head develops inside the leaf sheath (boot stage), then emerges with visible awns or awnless spikes depending on variety
Reduce nitrogen to avoid excessive vegetative growth. Maintain consistent moisture during this critical stage. Scout for disease.
Flowering & Grain Filling
3-4 weeksAnthers extend from flowers; grains develop and fill with starch. Heads become heavier and may bend slightly.
Critical period for yield; ensure adequate water and balanced nutrients. Avoid high nitrogen which delays maturity. Pest/disease pressure peaks.
Maturity & Harvest
1-2 weeks until harvest-readyKernels reach full size and harden; moisture content drops to 12-15%. Heads turn golden-brown and become brittle.
Stop irrigation 2-3 weeks before harvest. Harvest when grain moisture is 12-15% to prevent shattering and ease threshing. Hulless varieties thresh cleanly.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Plant resistant varieties; time planting to avoid fly emergence; destroy crop residue promptly
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Scout fields regularly; use insecticides if threshold exceeded; encourage natural predators
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Plant resistant varieties; control aphid vectors with insecticides; remove infected plants early
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Use resistant varieties; practice crop rotation; apply fungicides if severe; ensure good airflow
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Select resistant varieties; apply sulfur or fungicides; improve air circulation; reduce nitrogen
Uses
Whole grains & flour
CulinaryHulless barley can be cooked whole as a nutritious grain bowl ingredient, ground into flour for baking, or made into barley malt. It has a nutty flavor and higher protein content than hulled barley. [source]
Barley malt & brewing
CulinaryHulless barley is specially processed into malt for beer production and distilling. The ease of hull removal makes it ideal for malt production with consistent quality. [source]
Beta-glucan supplement
MedicinalHulless barley contains high levels of soluble fiber (beta-glucans) known to support heart health and cholesterol management. Often sold as barley powder or supplement. [source]
Animal feed
HouseholdHulless barley grain is a preferred feed for cattle, horses, poultry, and other livestock due to its nutritional profile and ease of digestion compared to hulled varieties. [source]
Ornamental & craft uses
CraftThe mature grain heads with awns create attractive dried arrangements and decorative displays. Can be used in craft projects and as natural decoration. [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 moisture reaches 12-15% and plants are golden-brown. Use a combine harvester set to hulless settings. Hulless varieties naturally thresh clean, separating the hull from the kernel with minimal mechanical action. Winnow to remove remaining chaff. Dry to 10-12% moisture for storage. Handle carefully to avoid kernel cracking.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Hulless barley is one of the oldest cultivated grains, with evidence of cultivation dating back over 10,000 years in the Fertile Crescent.
- 🌱 The hull removes automatically during harvesting for hulless varieties, making it more efficient for processing than hulled barley which requires additional mechanical hulling steps.
- 🌱 Hulless barley contains significantly higher levels of beta-glucans (up to 7-8% of dry weight) compared to hulled barley, making it particularly valued for nutritional and health applications.
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