How to Grow Spelta
Wikimedia Commons
Spelta
Triticum dicoccum
grainSpelta is an ancient hulled wheat variety with a nutty flavor and excellent nutritional profile, featuring tough outer husks that protect the grain during growing. It's more resilient to poor soil conditions and pests than modern bread wheat, making it popular for organic and heritage grain farming. The tall, sturdy plants produce distinctive seed heads with long awns.
When should you plant Spelta 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.
Example Spelta timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Spelta
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 Spelta
Around Aug 15≈ 120 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Spelta dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-8; prefers cooler climates with moderate rainfall
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Get my Spelta timeline →Growth Stages
Germination & Seedling
2-3 weeksSeeds sprout within 5-10 days; young plants develop shallow roots and 2-3 leaves
Ensure good soil-to-seed contact. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Thin seedlings if sown thickly in home gardens.
Vegetative/Tillering
4-8 weeksPlants develop multiple tillers (shoots) from the base, creating bushy clumps. Leaves are linear and blue-green.
Reduce watering slightly once plants are established. No fertilizer needed if soil is reasonably fertile; avoid excess nitrogen which promotes lodging.
Stem Elongation & Heading
3-4 weeksMain stem extends rapidly; distinctive seed heads with long awns begin to emerge from the flag leaf
Increase watering if rainfall is sparse; this stage determines final yield. Monitor for pests and diseases. Staking may help prevent lodging in windy areas.
Flowering & Grain Fill
3-4 weeksFlorets open briefly; grain kernels develop and fill with starch. Heads may nod downward under grain weight.
Maintain consistent moisture during grain fill. This is the critical stage for grain quality and weight. Reduce watering as grain reaches maturity.
Maturity & Harvest Ready
1-2 weeksGrain becomes hard and difficult to dent with a fingernail. Stalks turn golden-tan; heads become brittle. Moisture content drops to 15-20%.
Stop watering. Allow plants to dry completely. Harvest when stems snap easily and grains are hard.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use resistant varieties; practice crop rotation; fall-planted varieties often escape peak fly pressure
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Crop rotation; destroy infested stubble; early planting can reduce damage
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Manual removal; encourage natural predators; insecticidal soap if severe
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Good air circulation; avoid excess nitrogen; remove infected heads; use resistant varieties
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Crop rotation; remove plant debris; avoid overhead watering
Uses
Ancient grain flour and bread
CulinarySpelta flour produces distinctive nutty-flavored bread and baked goods. The grain can be cooked whole as a chewy side dish similar to farro or used to make pasta. [source]
Nutritional whole grain
CulinaryHigh in protein, fiber, and essential amino acids compared to modern wheat. Rich in B vitamins, manganese, and phosphorus. [source]
Sustainable heritage grain farming
HouseholdSpelta's hardiness and disease resistance make it ideal for organic and regenerative agriculture with minimal pest management and no fungicide inputs. [source]
Traditional grain remedy
MedicinalHistorically used in traditional European medicine to support digestion and overall wellness. Modern herbalists value it as a nutritious grain for dietary therapy. [source]
Decorative grain arrangements
CraftThe distinctive long-awned seed heads are attractive in dried flower arrangements, wreaths, and decorative grain bundles. [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 is hard and difficult to dent, stalks are golden-tan, and moisture content is 15-20%. Cut stems near the base with a sickle, scythe, or grain cradle. Bunch into sheaves and allow to cure/dry for 1-2 weeks before threshing. For small quantities, thresh by flailing bundles against a hard surface or rubbing between hands over a sheet. Winnow to remove chaff using wind or a fan. Store dried grain in a cool, dry place in airtight containers.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Spelta is one of the oldest cultivated wheat varieties, with archaeological evidence dating back to at least 5000 BCE in the Fertile Crescent and ancient Egypt.
- 🌱 The tough outer hull of spelta grains makes them virtually immune to modern agricultural pests and requires special threshing equipment to remove, but this same hull protects the inner grain and extends storage life.
- 🌱 Spelta was widely grown in medieval Europe and is still a staple grain in parts of Germany, Switzerland, and other Alpine regions, where it's called 'Dinkel'.
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