The first thing to do is to choose the right variety of oats for your climate and soil conditions. The best varieties are:
Oat Hulled – This is a good choice if you want to grow oats in a warm, sunny area with well drained soil. It will tolerate hot weather, but needs cool temperatures during winter.
Oat Straw – This is a hardy variety that can be grown in areas with cold winters and dry summers. It has a straw colored hull and grows about 3 inches tall.
Oat Groat – This is an excellent choice for growing oats in colder climates. It does not produce as much grain as other types of oats. It has a brown hull and grows about 2 1/2 feet high.
Oatmeal – This is a good variety for growing oats in warmer regions where there is no frost. It produces more than any other type of oats.
How To Plant Oats
Sowing Method
You can sow your oats directly into the ground or plant them in seed trays. If you plan on planting directly into the ground, then it is important to prepare the soil before sowing.
Soil should be worked thoroughly so that it is loose and friable. You may need to add some fertilizer to help encourage growth.
Planting Time
Oats should be planted between April and June. They germinate quickly and usually start producing seeds within two weeks after being planted.
Germination Rate
Oats germinate at a rate of 80%. When they reach the stage of seedlings, they should be thinned out to 15 cm apart. This allows enough room for them to develop strong roots.
Roots
The roots of oats are long and slender. They are used primarily for absorbing water and nutrients from the soil.
Harvesting
When harvesting oats, you must wait until the grains are mature. The grains should be firm and plump. They should be cut when the stems begin to turn brown.
The plants should be left standing for three days before cutting them down. After this time, the grains will have dried sufficiently to prevent mold.
Storage
Store your oats in airtight containers. Make sure that they are kept away from heat and moisture.
Can You Grow Oats Indoors?
Yes! You can grow oats indoors by using a greenhouse or a window sill. Just make sure that the temperature is maintained around 55 degrees F.
You will still need to ensure that the soil has been fertilized effectively and worked through properly, and it is advisable to plant your oats in a container that is large enough to maintain healthy growth.
Using a rich compost inherently improves soil quality which will ensure that your oats grow at a faster pace and absorb the utmost moisture and nutrients.
Growing Tips For Your Oats
Use a rich compost to improve the quality of the soil.
Water your oats regularly.
Keep any weeds under control and remove them entirely where possible.
Store your oats in an airtight container, do not store them in a refrigerator.
Only expose your oats to indirect sunlight.
Avoid storing your oats in damp places.
Always use clean tools when working with your oats.
Do not eat raw oats.
Don’t overfeed your oats.
Never feed your oats to pets.
Never give your oats to babies.
Don’t dry your oats in an oven.
Don’t boil your oats.
Don’t store your oats in plastic bags.
How Long Does It Take Oats To Grow?
It takes about 6 months for oats to grow from seed to harvest. However, you can expect to see results much faster if you follow these tips:
Sow your oats early in spring.
Thin out your oat seedlings as soon as possible.
Give your oats plenty of light, but avoid direct sunlight.
Keep your oats well watered.
Feed your oats regularly.
How To Harvest Oats?
You can harvest your oats anytime during their growing season. Simply pick them up and shake off any excess dirt.
Then place them in a clean bucket or basket.
You should store your oats in an airtight container and avoid storing them in a damp environment and this will cause mold to develop, and your oats will be rendered inedible by proxy.
What Are Some Uses Of Oats?
Oats are one of the most widely grown crops in the world. In fact, there are more than 100 million tons of oats produced every year.
They are used to producing flour, oatmeal, groats, breakfast cereals, cookies, breads, crackers, milk, butter, beer, whiskey, vodka, jelly, jam, ice cream, yogurt, cake mixes, dog food, cat food, birdseed, poultry feed, horse feed, fertilizer, and many other products.
In recent years, oat milk has become one of the most popular alternatives to regular milk due to its delicious taste and undoubted health benefits.
Oats are also commonly used to produce biofuel.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that oats are the third-largest crop in terms of acreage. This means that it is the third-largest grain crop in the U.S.
Conclusion
To conclude, you can grow oats by planting seeds directly into the ground or by starting them from seed.
If you want to start them from seed, then you need to grow them at least 2 weeks before planting them and ensure that you have thoroughly prepared your soil prior to planting.
