Have you ever considered growing wheat as a crop? It's a trend that more and more survival gardeners and homesteaders are embracing. Planting and growing wheat from seed may seem surprising and even daunting, but it can be a strategic move for anyone interested in self-sufficiency. Wheat has so much to offer. It’s a staple grain and versatile crop with numerous benefits. Here are nine compelling reasons to grow wheat seeds in your survival garden.
Growing Wheatgrass From Seed
Let’s start with the easiest and quickest turnaround for your wheat seeds. Wheatgrass, the young sprout of the wheat plant, is a treasure trove of nutrients, packed with vitamins, minerals, and chlorophyll. It’s fairly fast and simple to grow wheatgrass from seed at home as a microgreen. Some people like to have a steady supply of wheatgrass for juicing, smoothies, and adding a nutritious boost to foods.
Homegrown Cat Grass
Wheatgrass is not only beneficial for humans; it's also a nutritious treat for pets - especially cats! It’s an easy and natural way to contribute to their health and well-being. Wheatgrass provides your kitties with essential vitamins, helps with digestion, and can even reduce hairballs. That’s why it’s one of the trio of seed varieties in our Cat Grass (along with Barley Seeds and Oat Seeds). Growing your own is also much cheaper than the containers of cat grass you can buy at the pet store. You can feel confident feeding it to them because you know exactly how it was grown.
Versatile Wheat Berries
Wheat berries are the entire unprocessed wheat kernel. Growing your own means you get to enjoy the wheat in its most natural form, from kernel to plate. If you’ve never used wheat berries before, growing your own wheat from seed gives you a chance to experience the freshest wheat berries available. This healthy whole food is nutritionally dense, full of fiber and protein. Boil them for a chewy addition to salads and soups or grind them into fresh, whole wheat flour.
Nutritious and Fresh Baking Flour
Of course, the most obvious use of homegrown wheat is for homemade flour. Whole grain flour from your harvest will be fresher, richer in nutrients, and free of preservatives found in commercial products. When you control how the wheat is grown, you also can avoid a lot of the residual pesticides and other toxic byproducts that go into store-bought flour. In short, homegrown flour is tastier and better for you! Plus, there’s something deeply satisfying about eating bread, cakes, and other baked goods made from wheat from your garden.
Homemade Pasta from Garden to Table
If baking bread isn’t enough to excite you, imagine being self-sufficient enough to make pasta truly from scratch! It’s worth it just for the bragging rights, but you’ll also take your pasta to another level with home-milled flour from wheat you grew yourself. Every step in the rewarding process brings the farm-to-table concept directly into your kitchen.
Wholesome Wheat Germ
Wheat germ, the nutrient-rich heart of the wheat kernel, is a powerhouse of health benefits. Rich in vitamins like E and B, as well as minerals, it's a wonderful addition to your diet, but it can be very hard to find fresh wheat germ, especially if you want something organically grown. When you grow your own wheat, you can harvest the germ and sprinkle it on your food whenever you want a nutritional boost.
The Ornamental Value of Wheat Plants
The beauty of wheat in your garden is undeniable. We’ve seen more people growing this versatile grass as an ornamental, with nodding golden stalks that add something especially picturesque to the homestead. Wheat’s ornamental value doesn’t end at harvest. Dried wheat stalks can be used in crafts. It’s a lovely element for seasonal decor when formed into wreaths and sheaves or added to flower arrangements.
Adding wheat to your garden enriches your lifestyle in various ways. From baking and brewing to crafting and pet care, wheat offers an abundance of benefits. Ready to get started? Buy some wheat seeds to plant in your garden. You’ll learn from every step of the journey from seed to harvest - and beyond.
