My mother grew her own rye but she did it mainly for the straw which she carefully harvested, dried and used to make rye straw baskets, coiled baskets bound with oak splints. She taught me how to make them too. Thanks for the pleasant memories you triggered with this video. I make a similar bread to which I add various seeds.
I'd like to have made a straw hat out of my straw. Instead the chickens then the compost had it. I haven't the patience, nor the skill, to braid straw.
I was going to suggest the same thing... I just bought some barley seeds but had no confidence to grow them. I spent my early childhood on my grandparents homestead. Wish I remembered how to grow grains.
Plant 50-100 grams of seed in late April-early may, 8-10” between rows. Add 1/2 to 3/4 pound of 30-0-0 lawn fertilizer in furrows between rows and 20-40 maybe 60 pounds of cattle manure to 100 sq ft area. Should yield a respectable crop. That assuming poor soil nutrients.
Agreed! Wonderful, Charles. What a blessing to have your son following in your footsteps...so to speak. Enjoying the soul-satisfying pleasures of growing, tending, harvesting, AND eating the fruit of your labor! Being German myself, that rye bread was mouthwatering--even on film :) Thanks for sharing the entire process.
Wheat and rye are , as far as I am aware , normally Autumn sown . And by early spring are a mass of green leaves several inches high . Apparently , in the old days , sheep were turned out to graze on this in the early spring when there wasn’t much else around . By a combination of grazing it and treading on it they would induce the plants to perform something called “tillering” , which meant that they produced multiple seed heads instead of just one , and thereby increased the grain yield
I haven’t been involved in cereal growing for a longtime , but when I was we used to hitch the ring roller on behind the tractor every spring and roll the wheat to get the the plants to tiller . There were no sheep on the farm at that time so no benefits from fertiliser . . Incidentally , the sheep are back on that farm now and although they don’t graze the wheat , feed on a ley of stubble turnips and clover which is now part of the rotation
Fall grazing to minimize tillering maybe. Plant too early and you get too many tillers. Plants will tiller if given the room or time to grow. 3-5 tiller per plant is ideal, but if planted more densely less tillers is more yield.
Even if the taste of the bread was no different in comparison to the one from the grain you usually have, which is obviously already superior to anything a supermarket loaf is going to give you, I should still think that the level of satisfaction from having grown, harvested, cleaned, and milled it yourself is just immense anyway. I bag tomatoes up for the freezer, and they are not anywhere near as difficult to process, but I still feel better than knowing I can just opening a tin from the supermarket. Also, those seeds are now naturalised to your land, so super interesting to see a comparison from next year with this year's figures!
While watching you trying to winnow without a breeze, we had a lovely light breeze outside. I couldn't understand why you struggled... Here was this nice breeze.... Was really into the video... Loved it!! Regards from sunny and breezy South Africa. (North West Potchefstroom)
@@karinmeyerowitz98 Just to let you know that you've accidently posted under my comment. You may want to C+P it into the main feed, so that Charles catches your post,
Yes you are so right, this gave me huge pleasure but I did expect more flavour. I think it was influenced by the video causing me to treat the starter differently and it made it more acidic. I'm looking forward to quietly 'brewing' and baking with my normal routine and we shall see! Also I'm sowing the seeds this weekend! Exciting.
Thanks Karin and it was so strange because normally, it's an absolute given that we have some breeze here. The one evening I needed it, I wasn't there!!
You are a marvel Charles. I’m so glad I found this video. We’ve been buying organic spelt and rye flour from the South Island for years, and have paid far too much in shipping costs. I might try growing rye which will halve those costs. I like the way rye plants grow upright and don’t take up too much space. Thank you for the very informative and useful videos. I’m following some of them for sowing seed, and love the way you plant from little plugs straight into the ground rather than transplanting into bigger pots and finally into the ground. As I write this, my little greenhouse is being set up, so can’t wait to potter around in there.
All this time and I only just saw this video. Its amazing! I am definitely growing rye this year. I am giving up a third of my tiny, quarter allotment and going for this. Thanks again Charles.
Next time try a pillow case and a length of heavy rubber hose to release the grain. And pouring the grain from bucket to bucket with a box fan blowing on high can also help remove the chaff. 👍
More thoughts: When you were trying to remove the rye from the chaf, I recalled seeing a woman with a large bowl or basin which she'd shake to the far side of the basin & then would give it a sharp shake & jerk it back towards herself, getting the lighter weight chaff to go up into the air while the heavier grain fell back into the bowl. I guess she got the basin pulled aside while letting the lighter stuff fall to the ground. Now that I can see the bread, I remembered making Swedish Limpa - a beautiful & delicious rye bread with micro planed orange zest added. That rye would also make a flavotful hard tak!
Beautiful video. It helps me realize how much work it must have been a couple hundred years ago to keep a family in bread especially if you were just a peasant.
Hi I watch your channel and have used many of your tips on my allotment it's changed the way I grow my veg much appreciated the main reason I commented is I also make sour dough bread and was intrigued that you use doves grain and you mentioned the marriage family ,I work in a flour mill in Chelmsford owned by the marriage family I use there spelt and rye I've mentioned your channel many times thanks Paul
So nice of you to comment Paul and that's a really interesting coincidence! Because, that is a different family also called Marriage and I believe no relation!! The ones I'm referring to are based near Newbury in Berkshire, do ask your people if they know them, I'm sure they do. And that's great news about your allotment, and sharing, thanks.
Great to see the end to end process and final product. A video that has helped my children understand the creation of beautiful bread. Thanks for sharing.
@@CharlesDowding1nodig My patch is prone to rats, I'm near a stream, a country park, I have chickens. I tried netting yet the rats were there in daylight, and I later found some of their nearby stashes of grain. I did get a harvest and had fun growing and winnowing etc. The chickens loved the fresh grain rather than the stuff I usually buy in, yet I never made my own bread. Shame, as I also have an old working mill a mile from where I live.
I've been looking forward to this for so long. Didn't let me down. Brilliant once again Charles. I think you've invented a signature winnowing technique too!! The 'Dowding Spin' perhaps?? :)
In order to take the seeds out, as well as for beans, we would put them in a cloth bag and beat them with a rolling pin or broom handle. It's easier like this, also works for sunflower seeds if you lightly beat the other side of the flower once it's dried. Fun memories and good for letting out stress, quiet a workout as well😂 My grandmother used to love doing this part! She was a big gardener.
Just wanted to say that, in addition to your composting, poly tunnel and no-dig lessons, this RUclips video inspired us to purchase a grain mill and sack of rye, and we've started making our own wholegrain rye sourdough. After some trial and error, I got the variables "dialed in" yesterday and produced my first edible loaf. It was so good!! I missed the time for planting winter rye this season, but will give that a go next year (don't tell my partner, as I may have to steal some space from her flower borders). You're a great inspiration for sustainable growing, healthy living, and great eating. Thank you, and I look forward to learning more. Best Regards, Chris, Scotland
Hi Chris, thanks so much for sharing this and I'm delighted to have been able to help in many ways. I had a chuckle at the thought of your inedible loaves! I can't believe though that they were too awful, but I'm happy that you are in the groove now. It may be just as well you missed the sowing time for rye!
Oh, Charles, there you go again, motivating me to try something new ... now I just must grow grain and make bread, I've got a lot to learn about it, but I think now I'll give it a shot :-) Thanks, Charles
Thanks for sharing. That’s awesome. This is just another thing children should be learning and experiencing. To think about where food comes from and the time and effort that goes into it. Great point about the mold. There’s a bit of funny history about that. But also health benefits compared to store bought food. Great video. Would love to see more from the garden to table shows. ❤
Mr Charles I’ve been following your channel since 2015 when I purchased my first land And now I’m on additional land in TX And I have my own stone grinder this year This video is so timely because I now want to grow my own grain This video has shown me the way Thank you sooo very much
Just beautiful!!! Thank you for showing us your rye bread making!!! I've been baking whole wheat bread that I mill (but never have grown wheat or any grain) for over 35 years, and I love watching others bake bread!
I had asked about you doing videos of you cooking from your harvests, and after a fashion, you've more than delivered. I was hoping to see something much like this, as its generally not shown of, from ground prep-planting-care-harvest- AND to table. I have a bucket of hard red wheat I just may try with what you've shown. Bless you, Charles.
To thresh my einkorn this year i ended up using my drill press with a sort of whisk made with stranded copper grounding wire, 4 gauge i think. Then used a 4” 190 cfm exhaust fan to blow out the chaff. Worked like a charm. 2000-2250 rpm on drill press seemed to be sweet spot. A corded drill could also be used with a modified paint mixer of sorts. I yielded 1.25 gallons of clean grain from similar 98 sq ft area. 29.24 bushels an acre roughly. Planted 40 grams of seed, 30grams of it in modern rows for half the plot and 10grams like yours, in 3 seeds clumps for other half of plot. May 7-10 seeding late august-early September harvest. We had a very wet year in Saskatchewan, had ergot in the hulless einkorn. Elongated black grains.
Lol! You guys could've gotten a fan and cooled off, as well. However, if you were intending to show the medieval method, then I see the sense in not doing so. I love watching your videos, especially about compost, and other nerdy things such as this! Thanks for everyone's hard work and your sharing of precious knowledge!
My 14 year old son is doing the same experiment. He is drying some wheat he grew in the corner of my garden. We have a hand grinder. What a great outcome with your rye
I have only recently caught up with this video. I was pleasantly surprised to see you using the same mill I inherited from my Father some years ago. He would have purchased it about the same time as you. Your use of a simple plastic bag to catch the flour was inspirational for me. I had been struggling with flower dust. I have yet to make bread, only flat bread at the moment. Which works well. And of course I admire you growing your own Rye. A million thanks. Hilary ( Australia)
Sometimes, it's just nice to ask yourself.. 'can I do that'? and then try. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. I love that Charles, it's pushing yourself and satisfying the inquisitive mind of a gardener or cook.
Another wonderful video Charles. So in theory with the weather on your side you can grow a significant amount of grains (and multiple grains) to store and over winter in a small space. I don't think there would be anything like going and getting a pound(U.S) or 1/2 Kilo (U.K and everywhere else) of grain flour fresh milled and having a nice dinner with a fresh loaf on a cool winters day. Plus the feeling of joy from knowing it was all grown on your own little piece of property. Great stuff and subject.
Oh I so enjoyed this video. To see from harvest to milling it to a beautiful loaf of bread. You need to do more videos of your harvest and preparing it in your kitchen. Such a treat. Northeast Arkansas USA zone 7a. Always love your gardening.
Thank you so much for this video! It must have been the most tasty and healthy bread, grown in your own compost, on a no dig bed in a warm summer, hand harvested and milled between stones! Congratulations, what a succes! As a sour dough rye bread lover with German and Danish background this story about 'Pumpernickel', an old, cherished, pure whole rye bread, meaning, that it was made of and baked of soaked, non milled whole rye grain, will hopefully entertain you. It goes, that when Napoleon in around 1806 came to Westphalia, he there asked for the best bread for his horse, Nicole. His trusted cook then went around and found the farmers baking a whole grain rye bread for 20 or more hours, and he was told that this is the best bread one could find. So he told the farmers to deliver this 'pain pour Nicole' and without any doubt that is the origin of the word 'Pun-porr-nikkkel' 😉- or as it is in today's writing, Pumpernickel. Have a nice day!
Hello Charles, I very much appreciate this video since I'm an organic farmer (smallest size) and bread-baker (even smaller) myself. I'm winnowing my seeding material using an inverted old vac. The benefit to it is to have a constant airflow. The small grains should fly away alongside with the chaff. Greatings from rural Germany!
You are very welcome Wolfgang, nice to hear. That is an excellent idea. Normally here, there is a breeze, and it was unfortunate that just when we filmed, it had fallen to zero! That's why I'm not kitted out with alternative options!
Hi Charles, I was looking forward to this update after seeing you talk about it in earlier videos. You got more than I thought you would from those plants. All the best, John, Hampshire, UK
This video is so interesting I’m so happy you made it ! I am about to embark on Rye for bread making so all round I found it super helpful thank you 🙏🏼
Thank you so much for making this video. It reminded me of the days many years ago when I used to make all my own bread and how satisfying it was as well as how much enjoyment it brought me. You’ve got me rethinking where I am in my life. Thank you.
How strange I was only thinking of growing Rye for making bread only the other day, thanks for this Charles. If I may be so bold to suggest a method of collecting the seed Which worked for me when I used to grow Rye for following years crop. I cut the stalks to about 18 inches or so in bunches and using a blue barrel, cleaned if using for food purposes, and bash side to side rapidly against the inside of the barrel. The stalks and ears stay in one piece and grain falls to the bottom of the barrel. Quite effective. Perhaps you could use and old computer fan or similar running off a 12 volt supply to produce the wind required.
Aww. Bread of rye. My late grandmother made this wonderfully dense, moist bread with rye. I have been looking to try and copy it for ages. This reminded me to give it a go.
This was great. You could have just stood before a fan while pouring 😉 or used a winnowing basket they work great. I worked at a huge living history museum in northeastern US when younger and taught a farming course, it was a lot of fun and taught me how truly important baskets are when used properly ❤
Did I really enjoy the video? You ask. I have to tell you it took me by suprise. Would you believe I was just setting out my stall to make some bread in my air fryer. Switched on the computer to check my recipie. Bell notification came up that Charles Downing has a new video. Shall I watch it? Yeah, go on, expecting a new NO DIG update and I got this one! blew me over. Did I enjoy it? it was brilliant 👍 👍👍👍👍👍 shame you missed the baking process. Question now is could I bake this in the air fryer (should I try growing rye, should I buy a mill?questions, questions) Take car Mike B
So funny and glad you liked it. Missing some of the baking was my fault, I decided to edit it out because the video was getting so long, I had not realised I would be so much interest in it. I don't know about an air fryer! As you can see you need a fair amount of space to grow a decent amount, good luck.
@@CharlesDowding1nodig Thank you for the detailed reply appreciated. The air fryer can do anything a convetional oven can do but, cheaper in cost and cheaper in energy. It is ideal for a single person on their own or like us where our family has flown the nest. Combined with our solar panels what we cook or bake means we are doing our bit to save the planet. My favourite bake is a lemon drizzle and the occasional loaf of bread. Friday night is Pizza night but the star bake when showing off to guests is Kentucky fried chicken. Take care Mike B
Awww Charles, what a lovely video! And I loved that German style rye sourdough (Sauerteig Roggen Brot) and your German water egg!! 🎉 Also I love that your mill is as old as me 😅 Now I you piqued my curiosity to maybe grow my own grain next year! ❤
@@CharlesDowding1nodig oh sorry I missed your reply! Haha! I’m definitely a kid still 😂 It’s our first year growing so I’ll get ready to sow grain next year (already on my plan!) 😁🙏🏼
Absolutely wonderful demonstration. People have no idea what it takes to grow enough rye to produce a couple of loaves of bread. I buy one 2.5 kg bag of rye flour and make about 3 loaves of bread. The flour costs $6.89 cdn . Thank you.
Fascinating! The colour difference was interesting. Organic differences? For anyone who hasn't had the pleasure of enjoying one of Charles' courses I can confirm the food is spectacular.
Oh I so loved this video Charles!!!! I actually have a fairly large spot of ground out back planted to winter rye as a green manure, looking to plant it all to sweet corn. It had buckwheat on it from mid summer until I prepped it for the winter rye....it is a really inexpensive way to help break up clay ground.☺️ Look forward to more and new exciting video's such as this !!!!
My mother grew her own rye but she did it mainly for the straw which she carefully harvested, dried and used to make rye straw baskets, coiled baskets bound with oak splints. She taught me how to make them too. Thanks for the pleasant memories you triggered with this video. I make a similar bread to which I add various seeds.
Wonderful. Adam soaked the straw and is growing mushrooms in it!
@@CharlesDowding1nodig I’d love to see a video on that! What a great use of the whole plant
Well now l have another reason to try growing rye!
I second Miss Mary Lu's suggestion of a video on growing mushrooms in the straw. Your content is amazing Charles, thanks.
I'd like to have made a straw hat out of my straw. Instead the chickens then the compost had it. I haven't the patience, nor the skill, to braid straw.
Love to see more videos on growing different grains. It's an area that most home gardeners don't have much experience of.
Thanks and yes
I was going to suggest the same thing... I just bought some barley seeds but had no confidence to grow them. I spent my early childhood on my grandparents homestead. Wish I remembered how to grow grains.
Plant 50-100 grams of seed in late April-early may, 8-10” between rows. Add 1/2 to 3/4 pound of 30-0-0 lawn fertilizer in furrows between rows and 20-40 maybe 60 pounds of cattle manure to 100 sq ft area. Should yield a respectable crop.
That assuming poor soil nutrients.
My mom and I, loved this video. You should do more videos where you cook/bake with some of the food that comes from your garden.
Yes please brilliant idea
I subscribe to this… or you could tell stories of your experience as a vegetable farmer… by the fireplace… perfect for winter time
One of your best videos yet Charles! Very silly but heart-warming seeing your son and you try different ways of processing the rye
Thanks Kyle, glad you enjoyed it!
Agreed! Wonderful, Charles. What a blessing to have your son following in your footsteps...so to speak. Enjoying the soul-satisfying pleasures of growing, tending, harvesting, AND eating the fruit of your labor! Being German myself, that rye bread was mouthwatering--even on film :) Thanks for sharing the entire process.
@@mariebridges2219 happy to hear that Marie!
No dig produce, no knead bread - love the simplicity of it all!
My wife bakes rye bread occasionally, and this video is the reason I decided to grow some for her this winter
That is cool, best of luck with it!
Wheat and rye are , as far as I am aware , normally Autumn sown . And by early spring are a mass of green leaves several inches high . Apparently , in the old days , sheep were turned out to graze on this in the early spring when there wasn’t much else around . By a combination of grazing it and treading on it they would induce the plants to perform something called “tillering” , which meant that they produced multiple seed heads instead of just one , and thereby increased the grain yield
Hence the sheep breed the Ryeland (bred by monks around Leominster) from Herefordshire grazed on the ryelands as you point out -thanks
Oh! 👍
I haven’t been involved in cereal growing for a longtime , but when I was we used to hitch the ring roller on behind the tractor every spring and roll the wheat to get the the plants to tiller . There were no sheep on the farm at that time so no benefits from fertiliser . . Incidentally , the sheep are back on that farm now and although they don’t graze the wheat , feed on a ley of stubble turnips and clover which is now part of the rotation
Fall grazing to minimize tillering maybe.
Plant too early and you get too many tillers.
Plants will tiller if given the room or time to grow. 3-5 tiller per plant is ideal, but if planted more densely less tillers is more yield.
Brilliant!
Charles likes everything with a 'no' in it. No-dig, no-knead, no-nonsense...
😂 well spotted
Even if the taste of the bread was no different in comparison to the one from the grain you usually have, which is obviously already superior to anything a supermarket loaf is going to give you, I should still think that the level of satisfaction from having grown, harvested, cleaned, and milled it yourself is just immense anyway. I bag tomatoes up for the freezer, and they are not anywhere near as difficult to process, but I still feel better than knowing I can just opening a tin from the supermarket. Also, those seeds are now naturalised to your land, so super interesting to see a comparison from next year with this year's figures!
While watching you trying to winnow without a breeze, we had a lovely light breeze outside. I couldn't understand why you struggled... Here was this nice breeze.... Was really into the video...
Loved it!!
Regards from sunny and breezy South Africa. (North West Potchefstroom)
@@karinmeyerowitz98 Just to let you know that you've accidently posted under my comment. You may want to C+P it into the main feed, so that Charles catches your post,
found it!
Yes you are so right, this gave me huge pleasure but I did expect more flavour. I think it was influenced by the video causing me to treat the starter differently and it made it more acidic. I'm looking forward to quietly 'brewing' and baking with my normal routine and we shall see! Also I'm sowing the seeds this weekend! Exciting.
Thanks Karin and it was so strange because normally, it's an absolute given that we have some breeze here. The one evening I needed it, I wasn't there!!
No surprise that the "No Dig" master makes "No Knead" bread! Great video Charles. I wish I could taste that bread.
Cheers Peter, wish I could share flavour!
Great point! 😆
This was great! Please make more of these garden to kitchen videos!! ❤❤
You are a marvel Charles. I’m so glad I found this video. We’ve been buying organic spelt and rye flour from the South Island for years, and have paid far too much in shipping costs. I might try growing rye which will halve those costs. I like the way rye plants grow upright and don’t take up too much space. Thank you for the very informative and useful videos. I’m following some of them for sowing seed, and love the way you plant from little plugs straight into the ground rather than transplanting into bigger pots and finally into the ground. As I write this, my little greenhouse is being set up, so can’t wait to potter around in there.
That sounds brilliant, and I'm delighted to help, good luck with your grain growing. It does involve a lot of time…
Your determination and effort put into separating the grain is legendary!
All this time and I only just saw this video. Its amazing! I am definitely growing rye this year. I am giving up a third of my tiny, quarter allotment and going for this. Thanks again Charles.
Good luck!!
@@CharlesDowding1nodig thanks, I am sure I'll need it!
Next time try a pillow case and a length of heavy rubber hose to release the grain. And pouring the grain from bucket to bucket with a box fan blowing on high can also help remove the chaff. 👍
to see the efforts needed to grow one loaf of bread, makes you really appreciate how much its worth.
I make my bread every morning
There's nothing like homemade bread... Great video Charles 👍
Nice to hear!
No dig, no knead. More time to enjoy. Just Wonderful!
Haha, I'm searching at present for comments saying no dig, no knead. I found two yet.😀
That is a well earned bread!
Thank you for picking me! I send an answer via SMS , as I couldn't get it to work via Whatsapp. Hope that works!
More thoughts:
When you were trying to remove the rye from the chaf, I recalled seeing a woman with a large bowl or basin which she'd shake to the far side of the basin & then would give it a sharp shake & jerk it back towards herself,
getting the lighter weight chaff to go up into the air while the heavier grain fell back into the bowl. I guess she got the basin pulled aside while letting the lighter stuff fall to the ground.
Now that I can see the bread, I remembered making Swedish Limpa - a beautiful & delicious rye bread with micro planed orange zest added.
That rye would also make a flavotful hard tak!
Seeing you cook or bake with what you grow is fun video option.
This is truly inspirational. This tradition is in my blood but long forgotten. I love this!
😀
A fan would be handy with no wind, it’s worked for me many times. Great video as usual 🙏🏼
Beautiful video. It helps me realize how much work it must have been a couple hundred years ago to keep a family in bread especially if you were just a peasant.
Yes, quite a reality check!
Hi I watch your channel and have used many of your tips on my allotment it's changed the way I grow my veg much appreciated the main reason I commented is I also make sour dough bread and was intrigued that you use doves grain and you mentioned the marriage family ,I work in a flour mill in Chelmsford owned by the marriage family I use there spelt and rye I've mentioned your channel many times thanks Paul
So nice of you to comment Paul and that's a really interesting coincidence! Because, that is a different family also called Marriage and I believe no relation!!
The ones I'm referring to are based near Newbury in Berkshire, do ask your people if they know them, I'm sure they do. And that's great news about your allotment, and sharing, thanks.
This has got to be the BEST thing I've seen for a while. The joy you're having is infectious! ❤
Thanks for and educational and fun VIDEO Charles 🙏🏻
Ah so nice thanks!
Great to see the end to end process and final product. A video that has helped my children understand the creation of beautiful bread. Thanks for sharing.
Nice to hear and thanks 😀
I grew wheat last year - the rats and pigeons loved it!
Ah nooo!
@@CharlesDowding1nodig My patch is prone to rats, I'm near a stream, a country park, I have chickens. I tried netting yet the rats were there in daylight, and I later found some of their nearby stashes of grain. I did get a harvest and had fun growing and winnowing etc. The chickens loved the fresh grain rather than the stuff I usually buy in, yet I never made my own bread. Shame, as I also have an old working mill a mile from where I live.
@@VanderlyndenJengold nice to hear, except your location is difficult!
I've been looking forward to this for so long. Didn't let me down. Brilliant once again Charles. I think you've invented a signature winnowing technique too!! The 'Dowding Spin' perhaps?? :)
Four course rotation! Thanks Josh
That was fun watching the whole process and getting to join you in the kitchen. Thank you! I hope to give this a go next year!😅
That was a lovely loaf of bread with a beautiful crumb. Thank you for taking us along.
In order to take the seeds out, as well as for beans, we would put them in a cloth bag and beat them with a rolling pin or broom handle. It's easier like this, also works for sunflower seeds if you lightly beat the other side of the flower once it's dried. Fun memories and good for letting out stress, quiet a workout as well😂
My grandmother used to love doing this part! She was a big gardener.
Loverly comment thanks Andreea
Just wanted to say that, in addition to your composting, poly tunnel and no-dig lessons, this RUclips video inspired us to purchase a grain mill and sack of rye, and we've started making our own wholegrain rye sourdough. After some trial and error, I got the variables "dialed in" yesterday and produced my first edible loaf. It was so good!! I missed the time for planting winter rye this season, but will give that a go next year (don't tell my partner, as I may have to steal some space from her flower borders).
You're a great inspiration for sustainable growing, healthy living, and great eating. Thank you, and I look forward to learning more.
Best Regards,
Chris, Scotland
Hi Chris, thanks so much for sharing this and I'm delighted to have been able to help in many ways.
I had a chuckle at the thought of your inedible loaves! I can't believe though that they were too awful, but I'm happy that you are in the groove now.
It may be just as well you missed the sowing time for rye!
Oh, Charles, there you go again, motivating me to try something new ... now I just must grow grain and make bread, I've got a lot to learn about it, but I think now I'll give it a shot :-) Thanks, Charles
Nice to hear Ted, sow today!!
Thanks for sharing. That’s awesome. This is just another thing children should be learning and experiencing. To think about where food comes from and the time and effort that goes into it. Great point about the mold. There’s a bit of funny history about that. But also health benefits compared to store bought food. Great video. Would love to see more from the garden to table shows. ❤
I hope some kids see this, thanks Ross
Mr Charles I’ve been following your channel since 2015 when I purchased my first land
And now I’m on additional land in TX
And I have my own stone grinder this year
This video is so timely because I now want to grow my own grain
This video has shown me the way
Thank you sooo very much
Thanks I'm delighted to read this, nice job and good luck with growing TX grain!
Just beautiful!!! Thank you for showing us your rye bread making!!! I've been baking whole wheat bread that I mill (but never have grown wheat or any grain) for over 35 years, and I love watching others bake bread!
I'm impressed Cherie, not many people mill. Glad you enjoyed it.
I had asked about you doing videos of you cooking from your harvests, and after a fashion, you've more than delivered. I was hoping to see something much like this, as its generally not shown of, from ground prep-planting-care-harvest- AND to table. I have a bucket of hard red wheat I just may try with what you've shown. Bless you, Charles.
Funny, thanks!
Thoroughly enjoyed this video. I make my own bread using emmer flour, much better bread than the Chorleywood processed shop bread.
So right Sean! Thanks
To thresh my einkorn this year i ended up using my drill press with a sort of whisk made with stranded copper grounding wire, 4 gauge i think.
Then used a 4” 190 cfm exhaust fan to blow out the chaff.
Worked like a charm.
2000-2250 rpm on drill press seemed to be sweet spot. A corded drill could also be used with a modified paint mixer of sorts.
I yielded 1.25 gallons of clean grain from similar 98 sq ft area. 29.24 bushels an acre roughly.
Planted 40 grams of seed, 30grams of it in modern rows for half the plot and 10grams like yours, in 3 seeds clumps for other half of plot. May 7-10 seeding late august-early September harvest.
We had a very wet year in Saskatchewan, had ergot in the hulless einkorn. Elongated black grains.
Lol! You guys could've gotten a fan and cooled off, as well. However, if you were intending to show the medieval method, then I see the sense in not doing so. I love watching your videos, especially about compost, and other nerdy things such as this! Thanks for everyone's hard work and your sharing of precious knowledge!
Cheers Rebecca, nice you got that
My 14 year old son is doing the same experiment. He is drying some wheat he grew in the corner of my garden. We have a hand grinder. What a great outcome with your rye
Please wish him well, nice to hear
@7:50 hey Charles great job. Btw, now you know why they had things called winnowing fans, mostly seen in Churches today.
😂 indeed!
I don't know what is in his voice i like. I just love hearing it. Kudos Sir!
Thank you James. I do have an audiobook on Amazon, about No-Dig Gardening, Course Book 1
@@CharlesDowding1nodig Alright Charles, I'll check it out, thanks.
Interesting..!!!. Thank you Charles great result. Rye from seed to bread 🍞 with butter 🧈 and honey 🍯 ....yami!!!😋
Our pleasure!
Wow Charles that bread looks great. I have hope for your future grain harvests and videos.
Me too and thanks
Loved the editing in this, the comic effect really came across at times. More baking/cooking with Charles please!
Edward will like this feedback!
I have only recently caught up with this video. I was pleasantly surprised to see you using the same mill I inherited from my Father some years ago. He would have purchased it about the same time as you.
Your use of a simple plastic bag to catch the flour was inspirational for me. I had been struggling with flower dust.
I have yet to make bread, only flat bread at the moment. Which works well.
And of course I admire you growing your own Rye.
A million thanks.
Hilary ( Australia)
How amazing Hilary, thanks for sharing and happy milling!
Sometimes, it's just nice to ask yourself.. 'can I do that'? and then try. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. I love that Charles, it's pushing yourself and satisfying the inquisitive mind of a gardener or cook.
💚 yes, thanks
Yes, please!! More videos on how you cook things you harvested from your harden!
😀
Another wonderful video Charles. So in theory with the weather on your side you can grow a significant amount of grains (and multiple grains) to store and over winter in a small space. I don't think there would be anything like going and getting a pound(U.S) or 1/2 Kilo (U.K and everywhere else) of grain flour fresh milled and having a nice dinner with a fresh loaf on a cool winters day. Plus the feeling of joy from knowing it was all grown on your own little piece of property. Great stuff and subject.
Cheers Wayne, yes it's empowering too :)
Very Interesting indeed. Amazing how hard one had to work pre-industrial age to make a loaf of bread. Wow.
It really is!
I loved seeing the whole sequence. I grew wheat last year but wasn’t sure what to do with it after harvest. This is something I plan to try again.
This is INCREDIBLE! So inspiring, i'm for sure doing this in 2-3 years.
Go you!
@@CharlesDowding1nodig Haha, the famous ''go you'' which changed my life.
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Really nice, brother !
Thank you! Cheers!
Loved watchng this Thankyou charles
Oh I so enjoyed this video. To see from harvest to milling it to a beautiful loaf of bread. You need to do more videos of your harvest and preparing it in your kitchen. Such a treat. Northeast Arkansas USA zone 7a. Always love your gardening.
Thanks Jenny, we are mulling this one :)
Definitely should do more cooking videos!
I winnow my blueberries with a fan. Works great!
Thank you so much for this video! It must have been the most tasty and healthy bread, grown in your own compost, on a no dig bed in a warm summer, hand harvested and milled between stones! Congratulations, what a succes! As a sour dough rye bread lover with German and Danish background this story about 'Pumpernickel', an old, cherished, pure whole rye bread, meaning, that it was made of and baked of soaked, non milled whole rye grain, will hopefully entertain you. It goes, that when Napoleon in around 1806 came to Westphalia, he there asked for the best bread for his horse, Nicole. His trusted cook then went around and found the farmers baking a whole grain rye bread for 20 or more hours, and he was told that this is the best bread one could find. So he told the farmers to deliver this 'pain pour Nicole' and without any doubt that is the origin of the word 'Pun-porr-nikkkel' 😉- or as it is in today's writing, Pumpernickel. Have a nice day!
Ah so nice Suzanne! I did not know that pumpernickel is from soaked whole grain, am tempted to try some 💚
@@CharlesDowding1nodig That's wonderful🤗
Hello Charles, I very much appreciate this video since I'm an organic farmer (smallest size) and bread-baker (even smaller) myself. I'm winnowing my seeding material using an inverted old vac. The benefit to it is to have a constant airflow. The small grains should fly away alongside with the chaff. Greatings from rural Germany!
You are very welcome Wolfgang, nice to hear.
That is an excellent idea. Normally here, there is a breeze, and it was unfortunate that just when we filmed, it had fallen to zero! That's why I'm not kitted out with alternative options!
Nice experiment , thank you for showing!
Never seen anyone do that before.Intresting!
You always manage to make me smile
Great video Charles. Thank you for sharing. Best wishes Jason from Melbourne Australia.
Thanks Jason 👍
Your bread looks fab, thanks for sharing
Thank you 😊
How fun. You give rise to hope in all of us world-wide.
Interesting video. Love the way you keep things simple Charles. Looking forward to next years update. Good to know these skills.
Thanks 👍 - and then, this year's rye is being eaten by wireworm! I did not expect that :(
Such a lovely presentation!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Looks like you are having fun.
Hi Charles, I was looking forward to this update after seeing you talk about it in earlier videos. You got more than I thought you would from those plants. All the best, John, Hampshire, UK
Cool, thanks John
This video is so interesting I’m so happy you made it ! I am about to embark on Rye for bread making so all round I found it super helpful thank you 🙏🏼
Ah great!
Thank you so much for making this video. It reminded me of the days many years ago when I used to make all my own bread and how satisfying it was as well as how much enjoyment it brought me. You’ve got me rethinking where I am in my life. Thank you.
How amazing Cate, turn the clock back!
That bread looks delicious!
How strange I was only thinking of growing Rye for making bread only the other day, thanks for this Charles. If I may be so bold to suggest a method of collecting the seed Which worked for me when I used to grow Rye for following years crop. I cut the stalks to about 18 inches or so in bunches and using a blue barrel, cleaned if using for food purposes, and bash side to side rapidly against the inside of the barrel. The stalks and ears stay in one piece and grain falls to the bottom of the barrel. Quite effective. Perhaps you could use and old computer fan or similar running off a 12 volt supply to produce the wind required.
Thanks, great ideas, good luck
wow just looked at the price of those mills almost a 1000 euros.
Aww. Bread of rye. My late grandmother made this wonderfully dense, moist bread with rye. I have been looking to try and copy it for ages. This reminded me to give it a go.
This was great. You could have just stood before a fan while pouring 😉 or used a winnowing basket they work great. I worked at a huge living history museum in northeastern US when younger and taught a farming course, it was a lot of fun and taught me how truly important baskets are when used properly ❤
Yes indeed!
I don't have a fan, was not expecting the calm and we had fun.
Goodness😃 for the few seconds, I thought you had lost it.. Great information on Rye. I've never let any go to seed.
No rotation ...!
The walkabout was genius. . Thanks from Cape Town.
I like the poppy seeds on top, It's a nice touch of flavor.
Very nice!! 👌👏👏
Thanks Lynn
Did I really enjoy the video? You ask. I have to tell you it took me by suprise. Would you believe I was just setting out my stall to make some bread in my air fryer. Switched on the computer to check my recipie. Bell notification came up that Charles Downing has a new video. Shall I watch it? Yeah, go on, expecting a new NO DIG update and I got this one! blew me over. Did I enjoy it? it was brilliant 👍 👍👍👍👍👍 shame you missed the baking process. Question now is could I bake this in the air fryer (should I try growing rye, should I buy a mill?questions, questions) Take car Mike B
So funny and glad you liked it.
Missing some of the baking was my fault, I decided to edit it out because the video was getting so long, I had not realised I would be so much interest in it. I don't know about an air fryer! As you can see you need a fair amount of space to grow a decent amount, good luck.
@@CharlesDowding1nodig Thank you for the detailed reply appreciated. The air fryer can do anything a convetional oven can do but, cheaper in cost and cheaper in energy. It is ideal for a single person on their own or like us where our family has flown the nest. Combined with our solar panels what we cook or bake means we are doing our bit to save the planet. My favourite bake is a lemon drizzle and the occasional loaf of bread. Friday night is Pizza night but the star bake when showing off to guests is Kentucky fried chicken. Take care Mike B
Awww Charles, what a lovely video! And I loved that German style rye sourdough (Sauerteig Roggen Brot) and your German water egg!! 🎉 Also I love that your mill is as old as me 😅 Now I you piqued my curiosity to maybe grow my own grain next year! ❤
Haha you are so young! Sow asap, we sowed already to plant out mid October
@@CharlesDowding1nodig oh sorry I missed your reply! Haha! I’m definitely a kid still 😂
It’s our first year growing so I’ll get ready to sow grain next year (already on my plan!) 😁🙏🏼
So beautiful be witnesses of all process 🙏🏼 thank you for sharing, it was amazing. It makes me remember my father 🌱
Regards from Argentina 🇦🇷
Glad you enjoyed it Yanel, thanks for commenting
I've just planted several rows of wheat myself! Not enough for a loaf of bread, but enough for some nice bulgur for salads and soups
Sounds great!
thanks for this. I want to try grain myself.
Thank you! I love to learn how stuff is made. I don't always practice the techniques but I still love to know how.
Happy to help!
I love your videos.
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I really enjoyed this video. I was fascinated to see the end product. I love all your videos, I am actually doing my first no dig patch this autumn. 👏
Thanks, and that is wonderful!
Absolutely wonderful demonstration. People have no idea what it takes to grow enough rye to produce a couple of loaves of bread. I buy one 2.5 kg bag of rye flour and make about 3 loaves of bread. The flour costs $6.89 cdn . Thank you.
Well said, and actually that's a rising price now. I have 450 rye seedlings this year!
This video was very entertaining! Thanks for the chuckles and the information.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great ❤
Thanks for sharing 🎉
How lovely 😊
Perfect”little Red Hen” story.
The intro was funny 😂
Thanks Master 👍💪as always appreciated!!!
Fascinating! The colour difference was interesting. Organic differences?
For anyone who hasn't had the pleasure of enjoying one of Charles' courses I can confirm the food is spectacular.
Thanks Simon, hope I remembered right, nice of you to say and I shall be checking colour more!
It's definitely an interesting exercise! look forward to seeing how next year goes!
So cool! I would love to live like you do.
🌱 make a strong wish
Oh I so loved this video Charles!!!! I actually have a fairly large spot of ground out back planted to winter rye as a green manure, looking to plant it all to sweet corn. It had buckwheat on it from mid summer until I prepped it for the winter rye....it is a really inexpensive way to help break up clay ground.☺️ Look forward to more and new exciting video's such as this !!!!
Ah cool and thanks Barry Pete!