How to Grow Six-Row Barley

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Six-Row Barley

Hordeum vulgare subsp. vulgare

grain

Six-row barley is a cereal grain crop characterized by six rows of kernels on each spike, making it higher-yielding but slightly lower in extract than two-row varieties. It is widely cultivated for animal feed, malting, and brewing purposes. The plant is cold-hardy, drought-tolerant, and matures quickly relative to other grains.

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Example Six-Row Barley timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Six-Row Barley
Around Apr 17

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

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Six-Row Barley
Around Jul 11

≈ 85 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, minimum 6 hours daily; prefers 8+ hours for optimal growth

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Water: Moderate water needs; requires 12-15 inches of rainfall or irrigation during growing season. Keep soil consistently moist during germination and grain fill stages; drought-tolerant once established but yields benefit from steady moisture

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Spacing: 4-6 inches between plants in rows; rows spaced 6-8 inches apart for small-scale cultivation inches

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Days to maturity: 85-120 days depending on variety and growing conditions

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Planting depth: 1-1.5 inches deep

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy to clay loam soil

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Balanced nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) fertilizer Compost for organic matter Lime if soil is acidic below pH 6.0

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 2-8; ideal in cool-season regions with moderate moisture

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a

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Growth Stages

Germination & Emergence

7-14 days

Seeds sprout and young shoots emerge above soil. First leaves (coleoptile) appear within 7-10 days under favorable conditions.

Ensure consistent soil moisture; keep soil temperature between 40-50°F for optimal germination. Monitor for soil crust formation that may inhibit emergence.

Tillering & Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Plant develops secondary shoots (tillers) from the base; multiple stems emerge from single seed. Leaves grow upright; root system deepens significantly.

Ensure adequate nitrogen availability; avoid waterlogging. Light cultivation to break soil crust is beneficial. Thin if overcrowded for small-scale plots.

Stem Elongation & Jointing

2-3 weeks

Internodes lengthen, creating visible stem segments. Plant height increases rapidly; flag leaf (uppermost leaf) emerges and begins to function fully.

Provide consistent moisture as this is a critical growth period. Avoid excess nitrogen which promotes lodging. Monitor for early pest activity.

Heading & Anthesis (Flowering)

1-2 weeks

Spike (head) emerges from the flag leaf sheath; characteristic six-row arrangement of spikelets becomes visible. Anthers appear; pollination occurs (mostly self-pollinated).

Maintain even moisture to prevent kernel abortion. Monitor for disease pressure (powdery mildew, leaf scald). Avoid water stress at this critical stage.

Grain Maturation & Harvest-Ready

3-4 weeks

Kernels fill with starch and dry down; husks harden. Spike turns from green to golden-brown; kernels reach hard-dough stage then full maturity with kernel moisture of 12-14%.

Avoid irrigation during this phase to prevent sprouting. Monitor moisture content before harvest. Cut or combine when kernel is hard and doesn't dent with a fingernail.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Peas Beans Clover Vetch Lupine

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Anise Oats (in same field to reduce disease pressure)

Common Pests

Monitor for defoliation; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray if populations exceed threshold; encourage natural predators
Plant resistant varieties; time planting to avoid peak fly emergence; practice crop rotation
Monitor regularly; use water spray or insecticidal soap for light infestations; encourage ladybugs and parasitic wasps
Plant virus-resistant varieties; control aphid vectors; avoid late-season planting that increases aphid pressure
Ensure proper grain drying to 12-14% moisture; use airtight storage containers; maintain cool storage conditions

Uses

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Brewing & Malting

Culinary

Six-row barley is extensively used in the brewing industry. Kernels are malted (soaked, allowed to germinate, then dried) to convert starches into fermentable sugars for beer production. [source]

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Animal Feed & Livestock

Culinary

High-yielding six-row barley is a primary feed grain for cattle, poultry, and swine. Its kernel composition and digestibility make it valuable in commercial and farm feed rations. [source]

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Whole Grain & Flour

Culinary

Barley can be processed into whole groats, pearled barley, or flour for human consumption. Rich in beta-glucans, it is used in soups, stews, bread, and health-focused grain products. [source]

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Nutritional & Functional Food

Medicinal

Barley is valued for its soluble fiber content and potential cholesterol-lowering properties. Barley water (infusion) has been traditionally used for digestive health and hydration. [source]

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Straw & Crop Residue

Household

After grain harvest, barley straw serves as bedding for livestock, mulch, animal litter, and biofuel feedstock. The residue improves soil organic matter when incorporated. [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 kernel moisture reaches 12-14% and kernels are hard (hard-dough stage). In small-scale plots, cut stalks with a sickle or scythe when golden and bundle for drying. For larger operations, use a combine harvester when fully mature. Dry harvested grain to 10-12% moisture for storage. Thresh to separate kernels from chaff using a flail, combine, or threshing machine. Store in cool, dry conditions.

Fun Facts

🌱 Six-row barley produces three kernels per spikelet (compared to one in two-row barley), resulting in higher grain yields but slightly lower enzyme extract used in brewing—making it preferred for animal feed.
🌱 Barley is one of the oldest cultivated grains, domesticated over 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent, and it was the primary grain used to brew beer in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.
🌱 Barley is remarkably cold-hardy and can tolerate frost better than wheat or oats, making it suitable for short-season and northern climates; it is even grown in marginal environments at high altitudes.

Gardening Terms

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

Full Sun Germination pH Pollination

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