Weatherbury Farm Grain Tracker
From Planting to Harvest, Glenn Hard Red Spring Wheat (Whole & Sifted Glenn Bread Flour) in the field:
Glenn Wheat is planted in the spring. Before planting, the seedbed is plowed and then harrowed to smooth it.
Hard Spring Wheats like Glenn have a higher gluten content and are the favorite of many bakers.
Planting Glenn Wheat
The Glenn Wheat is planted using an air drill planter. At the front of the planter is a harrow, which smooths the soil in the field to give the Glenn wheat seed the best possible seedbed.
This photo also gives an idea of the rolling hills of SW Pennsylvania.
The Glenn Wheat is up and has already begun to tiller and put forth multiple stalks per plant.
One of the reasons it is more difficult to plant spring grains in our area than winter grains is that by this date, the winter grains have been up and tillering for already two months — and providing cover so that weeds will be less likely to grow.
Just over two months later the Glenn Wheat is approaching maturity.
Unlike many parts of the country, southwest Pennsylvania did not experience a drought. In fact, we had more rainy days than normal.
It is this type of moist weather that encourages the growth of weeds which you can see in this photo and makes the growing of hard spring wheats difficult.
Harvesting Glenn Wheat
The weeds have continued to grow, however, the combine is able to harvest the Glenn grain and leave the green weeds in this field.
However in the 2nd field of Glenn we planted, the weeds were much denser and the farmers decided that it could not be harvested. (Sorry no photo — it was so disappointing, we didn’t think to take one.)
Unloading the Glenn Wheat into a gravity wagon. As you can see, only grain (no weeds) are being unloaded into the wagon.
Glenn Hard Red Spring Wheat Facts 2022
In 2022, Glenn Hard Red Spring Wheat was grown in Independence Township on the farm known as “Pleasant View Farm.” This farm was established in
1824 by J.M Welsh. Welsh is listed in the Caldwell Atlas as a farmer, grain, stock and wool grower. The farm was dormant for many years; however since 2006, organic grains and hay were grown on this farm. Weatherbury Farm has farmed this land since 2017. The farm has been certified organic since 2006.
This is our second year of planting Glenn Wheat. Hard spring wheats, while difficult to grow in the northeast, are a favorite of many bakers because they have a higher protein. Historically, hard wheats (for bread) were not grown in this area. A hard spring wheat was definitely out of the question.
The wheat was planted on two fields totaling 4.25 acres on April 4 2022 .
Clover was frost seeded into the wheat on April 28, 2022. (The clover suppresses weeds, aids in holding up the grain, increases soil organic matter, and eventually provides nitrogen to the next crop.)
The Glenn Hard Red Spring Wheat was harvested on July 26,2022.
At the 2022 Washington County Fair, the Glenn Wheat sheaf and the jar of Glenn Wheat grains won 2nd place.
For an illustrated explanation of how Weatherbury grains become flour, visit the from seed to flour page.
About Glenn Hard Red Spring Wheat Wheat
Organic Whole and Sifted Glenn Bread Flour
Glenn is a hard red spring wheat. Because the humidity in our area increases the incidence of disease in the fields, the eastern United States is not hospitable to growing hard red wheats, especially higher protein spring wheat. Luckily for us, the North Dakota State University Breeding Program developed Glenn Hard Red Spring Wheat which flourishes in our region.
Products Milled from Glenn Hard Red Spring Wheat
Glenn wheat is milled into organic unbleached whole and sifted Glenn bread flour.
Health benefits of Wheat
Wheat is an excellent source of protein, dietary fibers, manganese and selenium. Wheat’s fiber boosts the digestive process and improves overall metabolism. The vitamin B content of wheat provides you with energy. Additionally, the complex carbohydrates in wheat keeps you feeling fuller longer and give you energy over a longer period.
Managanese, which wheat is rich in, acts as a co-factor for greater than 300 enzymes involved in the production of insulin and glucose secretion. Wheat’s betaine content prevents chronic inflammation, which is a key constituent in rheumatic pains and diseases. Additionally, its anti-inflammatory property reduces the risk of ailments like osteoporosis, heart diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive decline, and type-2 diabetes.
More Information
Glenn bread flour can be ordered either for our monthly on-farm pickup or you can have your order sent to you.
To read more about Glenn bread flour, please visit our products page.
More information on Glenn Hard Red Spring Wheat and other grains grown at Weatherbury Farm are on the grains we grow page.