Einkorn wheat, scientifically known as Triticum monococcum, is an ancient grain that has been cultivated for over 10,000 years. This hulled wheat variety has seen a resurgence in popularity due to its distinct nutritional profile and unique flavor. Successful cultivation depends almost entirely on selecting the correct planting time. The best time to plant is one of two distinct windows, fall or spring, determined by the specific genetic variety of einkorn chosen.
Einkorn’s Dual Nature: Winter vs. Spring Varieties
Einkorn is classified into two primary types: winter varieties and spring varieties. This distinction is based on the plant’s requirement for vernalization, which governs its transition from vegetative growth to reproductive growth. Vernalization is a necessary period of cold exposure that plants must undergo to successfully develop a seed head and produce grain.
Winter varieties possess a genetic requirement for this cold period to initiate flowering. Without adequate exposure to low temperatures, the winter grain will remain in its vegetative state and fail to produce a harvestable head. Spring varieties, conversely, do not require this cold stimulus; they are genetically programmed to flower without it.
Choosing the appropriate variety is the most fundamental decision that dictates the planting schedule. Attempting to grow a winter variety in the spring will result in poor performance or a complete crop failure. The genetic difference between the two varieties is the single factor that determines whether planting occurs in the autumn or the early spring.
Optimizing Timing for Winter Einkorn
Planting winter einkorn in the autumn is often the preferred method for achieving the highest grain yields. The optimal planting window is four to eight weeks before the ground freezes solid, typically late September through late October in temperate regions. The precise goal is to allow the seedling to establish a robust root system and develop into the cold-tolerant rosette stage.
Planting during this window ensures the plant has time to develop two to three tillers before the onset of true winter dormancy. This level of establishment is critical for winter survival, as underdeveloped seedlings are far more susceptible to winterkill from extreme cold or heaving soil. The plants must then undergo vernalization, ideally enduring six to eight weeks of sustained temperatures below 45°F.
Planting too early causes excessive pre-winter growth, increasing the risk of foliar disease and susceptibility to winterkill. Conversely, planting too late prevents necessary root establishment, leaving the seedling unable to survive the harsh freeze-thaw cycles of winter. Autumn planting requires balancing initial growth without promoting too much pre-winter development.
Optimizing Timing for Spring Einkorn
Spring einkorn is used in regions with extremely harsh winters or when the fall planting window was missed. The timing for spring planting is dictated by soil conditions, as the seed must be placed into the ground as soon as the soil is workable. This window typically opens when the three-day average soil temperature consistently reaches 37°F to 40°F.
Planting as early as possible is necessary because spring einkorn needs to complete its vegetative growth before the heat of summer arrives. The growing point of young cereal plants remains below the soil surface until the three-leaf stage, offering protection from light frosts. Spring einkorn generally matures in about 90 to 100 days after planting.
Planting too late forces the grain-fill stage to occur during the hottest part of the summer, causing significant heat and drought stress. This stress directly reduces the grain-fill period, leading to smaller kernels and a decrease in overall yield and grain quality. Although spring varieties generally produce a lower yield, the goal is to plant early enough to avoid summer heat stress during the final weeks of development.