Blé dur Arcour einkorn
$4.00
(Triticum monococcum)
A variety with short, wide heads, Blé dur Arcour is somewhat unique among the einkorns because its hulls are looser; some come off when threshing (threshing by rubbing is more effective than by hitting). This means that it has considerably more potential as a food crop for the home gardener than most einkorns. A downside of this variety is that it resents rain when it nears maturity and will mildew easily if it gets wet at that time. This may be due to its origins in Turkey; it was apparently collected there in the late 1920s by Pyotr Mikhailovich Zhukovskii, a Soviet botanist and later member of the V. I. Lenin All-Union Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VASKhNIL). Zhukovskii was a friend and colleague of Nikolai Vavilov, who is probably best known for developing the concept of centres of origin for domesticated plants. 120 days to maturity.
Out of stock
Plant 1/2-2” deep, a few inches apart; preferably in rows 7-9” apart, but can also be broadcast and raked to cover. Plant in the spring as soon as soil can be worked. Harvest when seed is at ‘hard dough’ stage, dentable but not easily crushed; make into sheaves and stook to cure until fully dry and hard. Thresh and winnow; einkorn must also be dehulled before eating, but is best planted still in its hulls.
To use straw for weaving, harvest when topmost joint in stem is still a little green.