Heritage Rye Seeds
The grain that thrives where wheat fails
Rye (Secale cereale) is the survivor's grain. It thrives in poor, acidic, sandy soils where wheat and barley fail — which describes a great deal of Irish land. It tolerates cold, wet winters better than any other cereal and establishes fast from autumn sowing.
Our heritage rye is an open-pollinated landrace variety, not a modern hybrid. It grows tall (up to 1.5m), with deep roots that break up compacted soil and access nutrients other grains can't reach. The flour is dark, dense, and complex — perfect for sourdough, pumpernickel, and the dark rye breads that sustained northern Europe for centuries.
Rye is also one of the best cover crops available. Its extensive root system improves soil structure, suppresses weeds through allelopathy (chemical weed suppression), and the stubble provides overwintering habitat for ground beetles and other beneficial insects.
Species Included
Secale cereale (Heritage rye, open-pollinated landrace)
Sowing Instructions
Broadcast at 12–18g per sq m on prepared ground. Rake in to 2–3cm depth. Sow September–October for best results — rye establishes fast and benefits from early sowing. Harvest July when ears are golden. Rye is free-threshing — easier to process than hulled wheats. Mill fresh for maximum flavour.
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