How to Grow Millet: Ancient Grain for the Modern Garden

Millet isn’t just birdseed - it’s an ancient staple grain that humans have cultivated for thousands of years. Naturally gluten-free, rich in minerals, and able to thrive in dry soils, millet is a survival crop with modern appeal. If you’re into homesteading, permaculture, or simply curious about growing your own grains, millet is an excellent choice.

Understanding Millet

Botanical family: Poaceae (grasses, related to corn and rice)
Type: Annual warm-season grain
Varieties: Pearl millet, foxtail millet, proso millet, finger millet, Japanese millet (each suited to slightly different climates and uses)
Uses: Human food (porridge, flour, flatbreads), animal feed, cover crop, and birdseed

Millet is one of the most drought-hardy grains, making it a perfect crop for areas with hot summers and unreliable rain.

Growing Conditions

USDA Zones: Best in zones 6–11, but can be grown as an annual in cooler areas with warm summers
Climate: Needs warmth; thrives in temperatures 70–90°F
Light: Full sun
Soil: Well-draining sandy or loamy soils
pH: 5.5–7.5

Planting Millet

From Seed

Timing: Sow outdoors in late spring or early summer after soil has warmed to at least 65°F.
Seed depth: ½ inch deep.
Spacing:
- For grain harvest: Broadcast seeds and lightly rake in. Thin to about 2–4 inches apart.
- For cover crop: Simply broadcast thickly and let it grow.
Watering: Keep moist until germination (5–10 days).

Container Growing

Millet can be grown in containers for fun or as a small patch for fresh greens and ornamental value, though not practical for grain harvest at scale. Use a deep container (12 inches minimum) and sow thickly.

Care & Maintenance

Watering: Drought-tolerant once established, but water regularly during early growth and flowering for better yields.
Fertilizer: Millet doesn’t need heavy feeding. A bit of compost or organic fertilizer at planting is plenty.
Weeds: Keep weeds down while millet is young; once established, it shades out competition.
Pests/Disease: Generally resistant, though birds love to snack on the seeds, so netting may be needed near harvest.

Harvesting Millet

Timeline: 60–90 days depending on variety.
When ready: Seed heads turn golden brown and feel hard when rubbed.
How to harvest: Cut seed heads, bundle, and hang to dry. Once dry, rub or thresh seeds free.
Storage: Store whole seeds in airtight containers in a cool, dry place.

Uses of Millet

In the kitchen: Cooked whole like rice, ground into flour for flatbreads, added to soups, or popped like popcorn.
For animals: Feed for poultry, livestock, and wild birds.
In the garden: Works as a fast-growing summer cover crop to build soil and suppress weeds.

Tips for Success

Choose the right variety for your climate - pearl millet for hot/dry regions, proso millet for short growing seasons, finger millet for cooler uplands.
Grow in blocks rather than single rows for better pollination and higher yields.
For human consumption, be prepared to thresh and winnow - millet requires some post-harvest processing.
Leave a patch for pollinators and birds; millet attracts beneficial insects and provides habitat.

⚠ Cautions & Considerations

Birds can strip millet heads before you harvest. Use netting or harvest as soon as seeds harden.
Gluten-free, but not always tolerated by those with certain sensitivities - introduce carefully into diets if unsure.
Millet self-seeds easily if seed heads are left on the plant, so watch for volunteers next year.

Millet may not be the flashiest grain, but it’s one of the most resilient. With minimal water and care, you can produce a nutrient-rich harvest that has sustained cultures for millennia. Whether you grow it for your own kitchen, for your chickens, or simply as a cover crop, millet earns its place in the sustainable garden.