Q and A: true wheat seeds and planting onions

True wheat seeds

There is a lot of talk about the wheat we all use being bad for us. Can a person get the “real” wheat seed. If so where?

Susie McMillan
Powderly, Texas

There are several companies that carry stock of heritage wheat that hasn’t been “tweaked” with crosses to rye and other crops, resulting in a wheat that isn’t really “wheat” anymore. Type “heritage wheat seed for sale” in your browser and you’ll find several companies that offer many different varieties of true wheat. Be prepared to spend more for this rare seed and plant a small plot, then save seeds and next year, plant a larger one and so on until you have what you want and need. It IS worth the effort. — Jackie

Planting onions

I am wondering what types of onions you plant? I want to start from seed this year but am concerned about the long days to harvest number I am seeing in the catalogs. (Many are near or above 100 days!) I know I need a long day variety such as Copra (105-110 days) but am concerned that I won’t have anything to harvest come September. Does this number take into account my starting them indoors in March? Thanks for your great books and articles!

Justin
Barnum, Minnesota

We plant mostly Copra and Alisa Craig from seed. You will start them in early March, indoors, in a sunny window. They will get leggy, but just trim off the top half with scissors and let them grow. Set them out when the soil can be worked in the spring — usually in early to mid-May here. You don’t want them to freeze hard, but a light frost won’t harm them. No, the number of days doesn’t take into consideration starting them indoors, so don’t worry about the long growing time. — Jackie