Like oats and wheat, barley is cleistogamous -- it pollinates itself before the flower opens -- which makes it one of the easiest grains to save true seed from, even with several varieties in the same garden.
New to terms like isolation distance or outcrossing? See the Seed-Saving Glossary.
Seed-Saving Difficulty
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Safe to Save
Very low crossing risk
How It's Pollinated
Self-pollinating (cleistogamous -- flowers fertilise before opening)
(Very low crossing risk)
Scientific name: Hordeum vulgare
Domestic Crops It Can Cross With
- Minimal crossing between barley varieties
- Flowers self-pollinate before they open, same as oats and wheat
Wild Relatives & Feral Species
- No significant wild relatives in most home garden regions
Separation Distances Required
Minimum: 3-5m between varieties
Recommended: 10m for extra security
Strict: Not usually needed
Seed-Saving Strategies
- Allow heads to fully mature and turn golden
- Cut, stook, and thresh once dry
- Store dry grain somewhere cool -- viable 4-5 years