Growing of winter wheat

There are two major types of wheat planted in the United States. They are winter wheat and spring wheat. The winter wheat plant resumes its growth in the spring.

The growth and development of the wheat plant is a complex process. During the life cycle of the plant, many of the growth stages overlap, and while one part of the plant may be developing another part may be dying.

The first signs of growth are tiny root hairs that stretch down into the soil while a small shoot pushes upward through the soil. The head of the wheat plant, which contains the kernels, develops at the tip of the stem.

The stem grows rapidly, pushing the head up and out of the top leaf sheath. As the plant grows, it uses the sun to make food in its leaves. The roots get food from the soil. Wheat grows many leaves and sends up 3-12 stems called tillers.

After the head emerges, flowering occurs and the kernels begin to develop. After the kernels have developed fully and filled, the leaves and stem lose their green color and the kernels quickly dry. Kernels within the head grow and turn golden brown before harvest. The seed moisture will decrease down to 13 to 14 %. This is the ripening stage and the seed may be harvested at the end.
Growing of winter wheat 

Extra note: 
A kernel is a wheat seed. There are about 50 kernels in a head of wheat and 15,000 to 17,000 kernels in a pound.

Planting of wheat

Wheat is the most widely consumed grain in North America. It makes excellent bread, pasta, sprouts and tasty whole or cracked kernels.

Wheat is a long day plant. Short days of high temperatures stimulate tillering and leaf formation but delay flowering of wheat plants.

Wheat prefers a nearly neutral soil (about Ph 6.4), and does best with a cool, moist growing season flowed by warm, dry weather for ripening.

Planting of winter wheat usually occurs in September or early October when the soil has sufficient moisture to germinate the seed. The germinated seed lies dormant during the winter. The onset of warm weather cause rapid new growth and seed heads develop within two months. Winter wheat is harvested in late spring to early summer.

Spring wheat is planted as early in the spring as temperatures allow. It tolerates drier conditions than winter wheat, but doesn’t yield as well. Spring wheat is harvested in late summer.
Planting of wheat