What's Growing

Rye

Secale cereale

Rye is an herbaceous annual in the Poaceae family. With slender spikey stems, rye can grow over 6 and a half feet tall. Rye can be identified by the back of its shiny leaf blades and reddish purple stem.

Harvesting

Rye is similar to oats and other grains. When it is ready to harvest, the stems will brown and the sead heads will droop. Once rye is matured, remove the seed heads from the plant. Snap seed heads and gather them in a basket.

Uses

Often grown as a grass crop, cover crop, as well as for its grain, rye has many uses. Its grain is used for flour, bread, beer, and animal feed. Like rolled oats, it can also be eaten whole by being boiled or rolled.