Oats

Product: Oats

Product type: SEED (X)

Botanical name: Avena sativa

An annual cereal grass that grows best in cool, moist climates and is frost-tolerant. It needs a minimum annual rainfall of 500 mm. It makes an excellent winter green manure particularly where nematodes are a problem. It has an extensive fibrous root system that builds organic matter and combines well with woolly pod vetch or lupins. It is useful as a major winter animal forage or hay crop. It can be fed to poultry at a green grain stage. Oats are high protein grains but can be difficult to process as food on a home scale.

Plant type: Annual cool season cereal

Plant height: 90 - 100 cm

Sow when: Germinate best at 15 - 25°C

Temperate: Late February - June

Subtropical: April - June

Tropical: Unsuitable

Germination: 4 - 6 days

Depth: 5 cm deep

Position: Full sun; direct where it is to grow

Soil type: Tolerant of a wide range of soil types

Green manure: Dig or slash it in at any stage before flowers are fully formed; 6-8 weeks is enough time for a green manure crop