[Verge]

Hi there,

   I'd like to grow a big enough patch of barley this year to make a few batches of beer out of (and have some extra for the hens), and I can find surprisingly little smallholding experience online. I've got unlimited access to seaweed, but other compost is reserved for my vegetables. Anyone tried this before? Our last frost date here is June 10.

[RUSTYME]

Lots of choices , winter sown or spring sown , 2 or 6 row , bearded or beardless , hulled or hulless .
If buying from the agri co op go with what grows in your area , if modern varieties are ok with you .
Sow spring varieties 10 days before last frost , in a good seed bed with a ph of 7.0 - 8.0 .
Don't use any nitrogen as if you do , you will just get lots of barley grass and no seed . Just fertile land will do , as weed free as poss .
The crop should be ready to harvest about 70 days after sowing , winter sown crop will be ready about 60 days after it starts growing again in the spring .
Aim for about 1 seed/plant 4"-5" apart , each way . Expect about 1lb of seed per sq yd at harvest .