What is Rice?
Rice is often thought of as a plant that grows in flooded fields, and while this is true for the long-grain, wetland variety called lowland rice, it is technically a grass. This type of rice is difficult to grow in a home garden, but another, less common variety can be cultivated more easily in typical backyard conditions. One such variety is Duborskian rice, also known as Russian short-grain dryland or upland rice.
Characteristics of Upland Rice
Appearance
Duborskian rice is a highly ornamental plant that can grow up to 2 feet tall, with 2-foot-tall green and gold panicles that can add height and beauty to the center or rear of mixed planters.
Growth Habit
This variety of rice is a short-grain, dryland crop that is easy to grow in containers or in the ground. It requires full sun and well-draining soil to thrive.
Cultivating Rice in Your Backyard
Space Requirements
When determining how many plants to grow, consider that it takes approximately 10 plants to produce 1 pound of rice. Since each plant occupies only 1 foot of garden space, a 10-by-10-foot plot will hold 100 plants, which will yield roughly 6 to 10 pounds of rice in a season.
Sowing Seeds
In frost-free zones, seeds can be sown directly into the garden in May or June. Elsewhere, they should be started indoors four weeks before the danger of frost has passed. Expect seeds to germinate in five to seven days. A 24-hour water soak before sowing will hasten germination.
Transplanting Seedlings
Four-week-old seedlings should be transplanted outdoors at the same time it’s considered safe to plant tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants in your region.
Taking Care of Your Rice Plants
Soil Preparation
Select a sunny spot and enrich the soil with a generous amount of compost before planting. Since the rice requires a high level of nutrients, fertilize every two weeks with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer.
Plant Spacing
Space plants 1 foot apart to ensure adequate circulation between them, as they will need to be pollinated by wind. You might also surround plants with netting to protect them from birds. Keep the surrounding soil free of weeds throughout the growing season.
Harvesting and Processing Rice
Harvest Time
Your rice will be ready to harvest in about 105 days. You’ll know it’s ready when the seed heads appear dry but haven’t yet dropped their seeds. At that point, cut plants down to ground level and hang the stalks up for a few days to dry further.
Removing the Hulls
Cut the dried stalks together, then place a screen over a wheelbarrow. Rub the seed heads against the screen until the grains fall off into the wheelbarrow. Alternatively, you can beat the tied bunch of stalks onto a clean sheet laid on the ground.
Separating the Rice from the Chaff
Once the grains have been separated from their stalks, scoop them up and remove the hulls in batches using a mortar and pestle (put the kids to work!). If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, you can hit the grains with a rubber mallet, but be careful not to crush them.
Composting the Hulls
The hulls can be added to compost piles or used as mulch. You can’t eat the hulls, but they can be reused in the garden.
Conclusion
Growing rice in your backyard can be a fun and rewarding experience. With the right conditions and care, you can enjoy the fruits of your labor and enjoy delicious homemade rice. Don’t be afraid to try new things and experiment with different varieties of rice. Happy gardening!
