{"product_id":"barley-seeds-belford","title":"Barley Seeds - Belford","description":"\u003cp\u003e70-90 Days to Maturity. \u003cem\u003eHordeum vulgare\u003c\/em\u003e. Belford Barley Seeds. Non-GMO, open-pollinated. Annual. Belford is a classic spring-type, six-row, hooded (beardless) barley that has been a trusted choice for home farmers and small-acreage growers since its introduction in 1943. Prized especially along the West Coast for its dependable performance in high-rainfall regions, Belford is mid-season in maturity and grows to a mid-tall height, producing abundant biomass ideal for hay and forage production. Its awnless heads make it far more palatable to livestock than bearded varieties, and the grain itself is equally suited to on-farm feed use. A versatile, easy-to-grow cereal grain for the hobby farm or homestead. ~500 seeds\/oz.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c!--split--\u003e\n\n\u003c!--attr--\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLatin Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003cem\u003eHordeum vulgare\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zone:\u003c\/strong\u003e Annual in zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 70-90\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Germination:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3-7\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeeding Depth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1-1.5 inches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRow Spacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6-8 inches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 90-120 lbs per acre; approximately 2-3 lbs per 1,000 square feet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30-48 inches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil Preference:\u003c\/strong\u003e Well-drained, fertile loam; pH 6.0 to 7.5; does not tolerate waterlogged or highly acidic soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature Preference:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cooler 55-70 F for germination and early growth; avoid planting when summer highs exceed 85 F\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight Preference:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full Sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePests and Diseases:\u003c\/strong\u003e Susceptible to barley yellow dwarf virus (spread by aphids), fusarium head blight, powdery mildew, and smut; practice crop rotation and avoid planting consecutive years in the same field\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDirect Sow:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStart Indoors:\u003c\/strong\u003e No\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEasy\/Hard:\u003c\/strong\u003e Easy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!--endattr--\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Non-GMO Belford Barley Seeds\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBelford is a spring-type barley, meaning it requires no cold vernalization period and goes in the ground as early as the soil can be worked in spring. In most of zones 3-7, that means late March through late April, depending on your location. The goal is to get it established before summer temperatures climb above 85 F, which can slow grain fill and reduce yield. Prepare a firm, weed-free seedbed with good tilth. Barley does not tolerate waterlogged soils, so drainage matters. Broadcast seed and rake or lightly till, or use a grain drill to a depth of 1-1.5 inches. For grain and hay production, target a seeding rate of 90 to 120 lbs per acre, or 2-3 lbs per 1,000 square feet for smaller plots. A soil pH of 6.0 to 7.5 is ideal, and barley responds\t well to modest nitrogen applications at planting. Germination occurs in as few as 3-7 days when soil temperatures are between 55 and 70 F. Minimum germination temperature is around 40 F, so early planting is very forgiving.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOnce established, Belford grows quickly, reaching 30-48 inches at maturity. As a mid-tall variety with relatively soft straw, Belford can be susceptible to lodging (falling over) in rich soils or under excessive nitrogen, so avoid over-fertilizing nitrogen if lodging is a concern. Plants will head out and grain will begin to fill in late spring to early summer, reaching harvest maturity in 70-90 days from seeding. Spring barley ripens evenly, which makes timing the harvest straightforward — watch for the stems and heads to turn from green to golden yellow, and test grain hardness by pressing a kernel with a fingernail. When it no longer dents, the grain is ready.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHarvesting Belford Barley\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor grain production, harvest Belford when heads have fully dried and kernels are firm and golden. On a garden or small-farm scale, plants can be cut with a scythe or sickle, then bundled and shocked (stood upright in bundles) to finish drying in the field before threshing. Avoid harvesting during or just before rain, as moisture at harvest can cause the grain to sprout on the stalk and degrade quality. For hay production, cut Belford while it is still in the late boot to early heading stage, before the grain fully fills, to capture peak forage quality. Allow cut material to dry in windrows and bale when moisture drops below 20%. Because Belford is beardless, its hay and grain are considerably more palatable to livestock than awned (bearded) varieties, making it a preferred choice where animal acceptance is a priority.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout Belford Barley Seeds\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBelford is a six-row, hooded barley variety, meaning each head carries six vertical rows of kernels and the awns (bristles) that typically extend from the head are replaced by small hood-like structures rather than long, sharp bristles. This makes the harvested grain and straw far gentler on the mouths and digestive systems of horses, cattle, sheep, and poultry compared to traditional bearded varieties. Belford was introduced in 1943 and built a strong following particularly in the Pacific Northwest, where its tolerance for wetter growing conditions set it apart from drier-adapted varieties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs a cereal grain, barley (\u003cem\u003eHordeum vulgare\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the most versatile and oldest cultivated crops in the world, with agricultural use dating back roughly 10,000 years to the Fertile Crescent. Today, barley ranks among the most widely adapted cereal grains, growing successfully at higher latitudes and under more challenging conditions than almost any other grain crop. It competes well with weeds once established, tolerates mild drought after germination, and fits naturally into small-farm crop rotations. For homestead and hobby farm use, Belford hits a sweet spot of productivity and ease.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn the small farm or homestead, Belford barley has several practical applications beyond hay and grain. The straw, once grain has been harvested, makes excellent animal bedding and compost material. The grain, when grown for on-farm feed, can be fed whole to poultry and livestock or rolled or crimped for improved digestibility in larger animals. Barley grain is higher in protein than corn, which can reduce the need for supplemental protein in feed rations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eTips From Our Gardeners\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\"Plant Belford as early in spring as your soil is workable and dry enough to till. Barley is a cool-season crop at heart, and an early start means the grain fills before summer heat arrives. On a small plot, even a 20 by 50 foot bed can yield enough grain to feed backyard chickens through the winter.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 20.7517%;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" height=\"89\" width=\"89\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2016\/2681\/files\/jerry-sawyer-compressed.jpg?v=1653940293\" alt=\"Jerry Sawyer\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.2483%;\"\u003e \u003cem\u003e- Jerry Sawyer, True Leaf Market Writer\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\n\u003ch4\u003eBelford Barley Seeds Per Package:\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 oz - Packet - Approximately 500 Seeds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e4 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 2,000 Seeds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 8,000 Seeds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e5 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 40,000 Seeds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e25 lb - Wholesale - Approximately 200,000 Seeds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNon-GMO Belford Barley seeds are available for \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/trueleafmarket.com\/pages\/shipping-information\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFast Free Shipping\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e on qualifying orders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c!--split--\u003e","brand":"Mountain Valley Seed Company","offers":[{"title":"1 oz","offer_id":44907140022387,"sku":"46861","price":2.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"4 oz","offer_id":44907140055155,"sku":"81903","price":3.71,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 lb","offer_id":44907140087923,"sku":"46860","price":6.57,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5 lb","offer_id":44907140120691,"sku":"46862","price":12.93,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25 lb","offer_id":44907140153459,"sku":"81904","price":39.53,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2016\/2681\/files\/1773691637_1773691547_belford_barley_comp_1b3d9f49-714b-4fec-b903-de6e7d4ad009.jpg?v=1777493930","url":"https:\/\/store.trueleafmarket.com\/products\/barley-seeds-belford","provider":"True Leaf Market","version":"1.0","type":"link"}