OTHER-MILLET-WHITE PROSO (11G)

How to grow White Proso Millet

1. White proso millet prefers a location that receives full sun and has well-draining soil. It can tolerate a wide range of soil types, including sandy and clay soils, but it prefers soil that is slightly acidic, with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0.
2. Before planting, prepare the soil by removing any debris or weeds, and till the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches. White proso millet is not a heavy feeder, but it will benefit from the addition of a balanced fertiliser, such as a 10-10-10 or a 5-10-10.
3. White proso millet seeds can be sown directly in the garden after the last frost date in your area, or started indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date. The seeds can be sown at a rate of about 1.8 to 2.26kgs (4-5 pounds) per acre, or about 0.02 to 0.05kgs (1-2 ounces) per 9.2sq meters (100 square feet).  Sow the seeds 0.6cm (1/4 inch) deep and about 2.25sm (1 inch) apart or cast loosley over the soil and cover lightly with fines.
4. Keep the soil consistently moist until the seedlings are established. Then, water as needed to keep the soil from drying out. Fertilise with a balanced fertiliser, such as a 10-10-10, when the plants are about 15cm (6 inches) tall, and again when the plants are about 30cm (12 inches) tall.
5. White proso millet can be sensitive to competition from weeds, so it is important to keep the area around the plants free of weeds. You can use mulch or hand pull the weeds.  I found when growing with other green manuer plants there was very litte weeding needed.
   

White Proso Millet pairs well with legumes like beans and peas, which improve soil nitrogen content, and with sunflowers and sorghum, which offer pest management benefits. It is important to avoid planting it with crops like wheat, rye, and corn, which can compete for similar nutrients and space. Regular monitoring for pests like grasshoppers, aphids, and cutworms, as well as diseases such as leaf blight and smut, is essential to ensure healthy growth and yield.

Heritage of White Proso Millet

White Proso Millet has a storied heritage, believed to have been first domesticated in East Asia over 4000 years ago. It spread across continents, becoming a key grain in various cultures due to its nutritional benefits and robust growth characteristics. Today, it continues to be a valuable crop both for its agricultural advantages and its contribution to diverse diets around the world.

White Proso Millet’s combination of resilience, nutritional value, and versatility makes it an important crop in sustainable agriculture and a nutritious option in modern diets.

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