Millet

Growing the crop & wildlife conservation

Sown:
We sow in May

Fertiliser:
We apply nitrogen, potassium and phosphate fertiliser in late spring

Weed control:
We control weeds using one herbicide sprayed in the spring

Insect pest & control:
Millet has no need for Insect pest or control

Disease control:
Diseases are controlled by a seed dressing

Threats to the crop:

• A cold or very dry May can delay drilling
• Late frost can damage seedlings
• A cool summer leads to slow growth
• Anything that interrupts growth can push harvest further back into the autumn, when weather dry enough to combine the crop becomes less likely. This can lead to total loss of the crop
• Heavy rain or hail at or near harvest

What helps:

• A warm spring helps the crop get established
• A warm growing season with lots of sunshine
• Neither rabbits nor pigeons graze millet
• Millet tolerates dry conditions well

Wildlife conservation:

• Ground-nesting birds – see millet
• Over-winter stubble – see millet