It goes dormant during the winter and is harvested for grain during the following spring. Winter wheat requires ‘vernalization’ in order to complete its growth cycle.
Wheat is usually planted in September or early October when the soil is sufficiently moist to germinate the seed.
Wheat is grown from the same seeds or kernels that people eat. On large commercial farms, where wheat is grown for sale or export, farmers still sometimes save seed from previous years or they buy seed each year from seed companies.
Before the farmers can plant the seed, they add nutrients to the soil.
When they ready to plant, some farmers till the soil with a plow in order to break the soil up so it is soft enough for the seeds to take root.
After planting, freezing temperatures and a blanket of snow protect the seeds while they lay dormant awaiting the spring thaw.
Only after exposure to a period of low temperatures will the plants send up a stem and flower to form seeds in early summer.
About two-thirds of US wheat is winter wheat. Winter wheat can survive cold temperatures as low as -40 °F if protected by snow.
Planting of winter wheat
