Grains & Staples
Growing your own grain sounds ambitious, but corn, quinoa, and sunflowers are achievable on a home scale once spacing and harvest timing are right. These 5 guides cover realistic small-plot methods for staple crops most gardeners assume need a paddock.
Amaranth
Amaranthus spp. · Amaranth family
Corn
Zea mays · Grass family
Quinoa
Chenopodium quinoa · Amaranth family
Sunflower
Helianthus annuus · Daisy family
Wheat
Triticum aestivum · Grass family
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lot of space to grow grain crops at home?
More than most vegetables, yes — a useful harvest of a grain crop like corn generally needs planting in blocks rather than single rows, both for space and for reliable pollination.
Can home-grown grain actually replace store-bought staples?
At a backyard scale, it's more of a supplement than a full replacement for most households — but crops like corn and sunflower are worthwhile for direct eating, oil, or poultry feed even in smaller quantities.