In our northern New England climate, oats are planted in early spring, at a depth of about 1-2 inches, and harvested in mid-summer. Compost or manure should be applied in the fall preceding planting, and oats should be planted in moderately fertile, well-drained soils. Oats require more water than other cereals, however, and will do well in seasons with adequate rainfall. It is recommended that in the autumn prior to planting, oat growers disc a.
While reading we ran into the question “When to plant oats?”.
If you’re growing oats for food, plant them in the spring so you have a summer harvest. If you’re growing oats for ground cover, plant your seeds in the early spring for green manure and plant them in the fall if you’re hoping to get a winter-killed ground cover. Lay the oat seeds 1⁄ 4 inch (0.64 cm) apart in rows.
Why are oats grown in the north?
In addition to grain for human and animal consumption, oats are often grown in the north as a cover crop primarily for weed control and soil improvement. However, they are a delicious cereal crop that is high in nutrition as well (oats generally contain between 12 and 22% protein).
This begs the question “What type of soil do oats like to grow?”
As with many plants, oats flourish in soil that has a p. H that falls within this range. To start off on the right foot, test the soil with a commercial p. H probe or a p. H test strip in the area where you plan to plant your oat seeds.
While we were reading we ran into the inquiry “What type of weather do oatmeal plants like?”.
Oats are a cool-weather crop and don’t mind cloudy, rainy weather. Think about how well they grow in Scotland and Ireland, both of which have oatmeal named for them. Oats like a similar climate to potatoes. They tolerate a cool, wet spring.
Do oats go bad?
However, when it comes to oats, if they’re properly stored, they can actually stay good well beyond their expiration date. They doesn’t answer every questions though. You might still be wondering, how do you know when your oats have gone bad ? And, how do you properly store oats to make sure they don’t get spoiled?
If the oats are processed, they’ll probably be fine in the fridge for one year; if they’re unsteamed, it’s best to finish them off within a few months.
However, the most common oatmeal, steel cut oats, rolled oats and quick oats, each have different expiration dates. Steel cut oats frequently last three to five years, rolled oats between one to two years and quick oats have a shorter lifespan which ranges about six to nine months.
A common inquiry we ran across in our research was “How do you keep oatmeal from going bad?”.
The oatmeal storage container must be airtight and reduce exposure to airflow and moisture. Oxidation can make the oats turn stale, while moisture results in the growth of mold. Both will affect the quality and freshness of the oats even if they are not expired based on date.
Can you freeze rolled oats after the expiration date?
To maximize the shelf life of rolled oats once the package is opened, transfer to a covered airtight container or place original rolled oats package in a resealable plastic freezer bag. Are rolled oats safe to use after the “expiration” date on the package?