Medieval Farming, Oats

The oat plant, like wheat, is an annual grass with kinds and varieties adapted either to fall Planting and midsummer harvest or spring planting and late summer harvest.

In general, over wintering kinds are grown where winter climates are mild as throughout the Cotton Belt and in the western portions of the Pacific States. Spring seeding is generally practiced in other areas.

It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Wind.

The plant is self-fertile.

The plant prefers light sandy, medium loamy and heavy clay soils, requires well drained soil and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils.

The seed ripens in the latter half of summer and, when harvested and dried, can store for several years. It has a floury texture and a mild, somewhat creamy flavour. It can be used as a staple food crop in either savoury or sweet dishes

Farming Slaves, Weeding, Ploughing, Seeds, Irrigation, Sickles, Threshing, Wheat, Barley, Millet, Oats, Rye, Olive Trees, Grapevines