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How to Grow Hulless Barley Harrington

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Hulless Barley Harrington

Hordeum vulgare var. nudum

grain

Hulless barley (also called naked barley) is a grain crop where the hull naturally separates from the kernel during threshing, unlike traditional hulled barley. Harrington is a popular hulless barley cultivar developed for high yield and disease resistance. It is primarily grown as a cash crop for human consumption, animal feed, and brewing applications.

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

  1. Plant Hulless Barley Harrington

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Hulless Barley Harrington

    Around Jul 26

    ≈ 100 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6+ hours daily
💧
Water: Moderate moisture during germination and tillering; barley is drought-tolerant once established. Requires 12-15 inches of annual rainfall or supplemental irrigation during dry periods.
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Spacing: Broadcast or drill at 1.5-2 million seeds per acre (approximately 1-1.5 inches between seeds in rows 6-8 inches apart) inches
📅
Days to maturity: 100-130 days (spring barley); 140-160 days (winter barley)
🌱
Planting depth: 0.75-1.5 inches deep

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy to clay loam soil
pH: 6.0-7.5
Amendments:
Balanced NPK fertilizer Compost or aged manure for organic matter

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 2-7, with best performance in cooler climates (zones 3-6)

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

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Growth Stages

1

Germination & Emergence

7-14 days

Seeds absorb moisture and sprout. First visible shoot emerges from soil within 7-10 days under ideal conditions.

Ensure adequate soil moisture for germination. Avoid waterlogging. Maintain soil temperature above 40°F. Monitor for slug or bird damage.

2

Seedling & Tillering

3-4 weeks

Primary root system develops; multiple tillers (shoots) emerge from the base. Plants develop 3-5 leaves per shoot.

Ensure consistent moisture without waterlogging. Apply nitrogen if growth appears slow. Control early weeds through cultivation or herbicides. Monitor for Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) if aphids are present.

3

Stem Elongation & Jointing

3-4 weeks

Plant rapidly grows taller; nodes (joints) form on stem; flag leaf emerges. Height increases from 6 inches to 18-24 inches.

Apply second nitrogen dose if soil is poor or plant color is pale. Control competing weeds. Monitor for disease (powdery mildew, net blotch). Ensure adequate water during this critical stage.

4

Flowering & Grain Development

4-5 weeks

Head emerges from the flag leaf sheath; florets open and pollinate. Grains begin to fill with starch and protein, becoming milky, then doughy, then hard.

Avoid excess nitrogen, which promotes lodging. Monitor for Fusarium head blight if conditions are wet. Continue adequate watering. Watch for grain-feeding insects.

5

Maturity & Harvest Readiness

1-2 weeks

Kernels harden and reach full size; hull separates naturally from kernel (hulless characteristic). Stem dries and turns golden-brown. Moisture content drops to 12-15%.

Stop irrigation 2-3 weeks before harvest to allow proper drying. Monitor moisture content with moisture meter. Harvest when kernels are hard and cannot be dented with thumbnail. Store in cool, dry conditions.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Peas Beans Clover Alfalfa Lupines

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Allelopathic cover crops (rye in excessive amounts) Grassy weeds (compete for resources)

Common Pests

  • Use resistant varieties; rotate crops; plant at recommended dates to avoid peak fly emergence; clean up residue from previous crop.

  • Monitor for larvae; cultural controls (early or late planting); insecticide applications if thresholds exceeded; parasitic wasps and birds provide natural control.

  • Scout for aphid colonies; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil if populations exceed threshold; use resistant varieties; manage timing to avoid peak populations.

  • Early planting; seed treatments; proper field sanitation; natural predators and parasitoids in integrated pest management.

Uses

🍳

Whole Grain & Flour Products

Culinary

Hulless barley kernels cook quickly and can be used whole in soups, stews, salads, and grain bowls. The grain is also ground into flour for baking breads, pastries, and other baked goods. [source]

🍳

Brewing & Malting

Culinary

Harrington is valued in the craft brewing industry for producing high-quality malt with good enzymatic activity and flavor profile. It is also used in distilling applications. [source]

💊

Beta-Glucan Health Benefits

Medicinal

Barley is rich in soluble fiber (beta-glucans) that may help lower cholesterol levels and support heart health. This nutritional property makes hulless barley attractive for functional food applications. [source]

🏠

Animal Feed

Household

Barley is a primary ingredient in livestock and poultry feed, valued for its balanced nutrition and energy content. Hulless varieties offer improved digestibility compared to hulled varieties. [source]

🦋

Cover Crop & Soil Improvement

Wildlife

Barley can be used as a cover crop or in crop rotations to improve soil structure, suppress weeds, and reduce disease pressure from previous cereal crops. [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 heads turn golden-brown and kernels are hard (cannot be dented with thumbnail). Moisture content should be 12-15% for optimal combine operation. Use a combine harvester set to high cylinder speed (1200-1400 rpm) to encourage hull separation. Adjust concave clearance to 0.75-1.0 inches. Harvest in late morning after dew evaporates to reduce moisture-related combine plugging. Store grain in bins with good ventilation and monitor for moisture and temperature.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Hulless barley Harrington was developed through conventional breeding programs and is renowned for its consistently high yield and disease resistance, making it one of the most planted hulless barley varieties in North America.
  • 🌱 Unlike hulled barley, the hull of hulless barley naturally detaches during threshing, eliminating the need for a pearling step and preserving more of the nutrient-rich bran layer.
  • 🌱 Barley is one of the oldest cultivated grains, domesticated over 10,000 years ago. Harrington represents modern breeding improvements for contemporary agricultural and culinary applications.

Gardening Terms

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

Annual Cultivar Full Sun Germination pH
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