Rice can have seeds with long, medium or short textures. Rice can be grown easily in your yard, in garden plots or in baskets filled with just the right amount of soil, water and nutrients. Rice with short, medium or long seeds can thrive in humid conditions, or specifically in submerged or swamp-like conditions. Once a grain of rice has sprouted, the water in which it grew must be drained so that you can harvest and grind the crop afterwards. After harvesting and milling, you can eat the rice.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Growing Rice
Step 1. Purchase rice seeds from a gardening or farming supply store
You can also buy rice seeds from reputable supply stores or seek help from local agricultural field workers. There are 5 basic types of rice that you can choose from:
- This type of "long-shaped grain" produces thin and fine grains of rice. This type tends to be a little drier than the other types.
- Medium-sized rice seeds of this type are generally wet, mushy, slightly sticky, and a little slimy when cooked. This type has the same texture as the long grain of rice.
- short grain. When cooked, the short seeds will become smooth and sticky. This rice grain is also sweeter; and generally this type is used to make sushi.
- Sweet rice seeds This type of rice is sometimes known as glutinous rice, and it will become sticky and sticky when cooked. This type is often used for frozen products.
- Flavored rice seeds This type of rice has more flavor and aroma than other types. The categories include basmati, jasmine, red, and black japonica.
- Arborio. This type of seed turns sticky with a chewy center after cooking. This type is mainly used for risotto or other Italian dishes.
Step 2. Choose your location for farming
Make sure the soil in the area you are growing is slightly acidic for best results. You can also plant rice seeds in plastic baskets with the same type of soil. Wherever you farm, make sure there is a clear water source and a path to drain the water when it is harvest time.
- Choose a location that gets full sun, as rice grows best in areas with bright light and warm temperatures, at least 70° Fahrenheit (about 21° Celsius)
- Consider the season; You need a place that will allow the plant or flowers to grow for 3 to 6 months. Rice requires long summers to grow, so climates like those of the Southern United States are perfect. If your place does not have a long summer then it is better if you grow rice indoors.
Step 3. Collect 1 or 2 ounces (28
5 to 56.5 g) of rice seeds for planting. Soak the seeds in water to prepare them for planting. Let it soak for 12 hours but not more than 36 hours. Separate the seedlings from the water afterwards.
When the seeds you are planting are submerged, make a plan about where and how you will plant them. Most people choose to plant the seedlings in rows to make it easier to water and weed. Consider building a trench and securing the end so that the water will be retained and contained (you can also use an embankment). Some people say that the planting area does not need to be constantly submerged in water, but just needs to keep it always wet
Step 4. Plant the rice seeds into the soil, during fall or spring
Remove weeds, prepare the garden and level the soil, if using a basket, fill at least 6 inches (15cm) of wet soil. Then add rice seeds.
- Remember that the place where you plant must be submerged in water. It will be easier to soak with water in some small places compared to larger ones. If you are growing outdoors, using multiple nurseries will be easier to manage and maintain.
- If you plant in the fall, be sure to prune the weeds back when spring comes. Rice seeds need all the nutrients and space they can have.
Part 2 of 3: Care for Your Seeds
Step 1. Fill the basket or garden plot by at least 2 inches (5
1 cm) of water. However, this is just an old recommendation. Most people say keeping the soil moist is enough and there is no need for the soil to be submerged in water. This part really depends on you; make sure the land is wet.
Add compost or a mixture of straw and leaves to the soil, covering a thin layer of rice seedlings. This method will automatically compact the seeds into the soil. Compost with organic matter is more moist when handled, so using this fertilizer is a good plan to do especially in areas with dry climates
Step 2. Observe the amount of water in the planting area, keeping the soil wet
If necessary, ensure that the water remains as high as 2 inches (5.1 cm) as needed for the rice to grow. At the very least, make sure the soil remains wet, even if it's not submerged. After about a week, see if there are rice seeds that grow.
- If your plants are in baskets, you may want to consider moving them at night (when the weather starts to get cooler) to a warmer area. Rice can thrive in warm conditions and when the temperature fluctuates, it tends to interfere with rice growth.
- To emphasize the different rules regarding the soaking of rice seeds from person to person, commercial companies that produce rice sometimes soak rice seeds up to 8 inches.' You'll probably want to add water when your plant is 7 inches tall. It's up to you how you want to practice it.
Step 3. Minimize rice seedlings or expand cultivation area to prevent overcrowding of crops
For best results, space seedlings about 4 inches (10.2 cm) apart in addition to rows 9 to 12 inches (22.9 to 30.5 cm) apart. Allow the seedlings to grow to a height of 7 inches (17.8 cm), which should take about a month.
Some people choose to start planting in a nursery because the transfer is part of the process too. If you follow this step, transplant when the plant is 5-7 inches tall. Plants should be planted in a muddy nursery
Step 4. Wait for the seeds to mature
This will occur around 3 to 4 months, during this time, they can reach a height of up to 17 inches. Allow the water to dry or dry the water before you pick up the ready-to-harvest rice. After 2 weeks, the grains will turn from green to yellow or golden, that's when you know they are ready to be harvested.
If you are growing rice, you can drain the soil when the plant is about 15 inches (37.5 cm) tall, soak it again, then dry it again. After that, continue in the same way as above, let the rice dry and turn yellow
Part 3 of 3: Harvesting and Cooking Rice
Step 1. Cut the stems and let them dry
When the rice has turned yellow (approximately 2 weeks after the water drying process), the rice is ready to be harvested. Cut the rice stalks, just above the head where the seeds are placed. You will notice a small pocket at the top of the stem which is often mistaken for the rice hull.
Allow the rice to dry for 2 to 3 weeks. With the stems cut off, wrap the rice in newspaper and place it in a dry place in the sun for 2 to 3 weeks. Moist rice must be dried completely to obtain a clean grain
Step 2. Bake them at 180°F (82°C) for one hour
Take the head and mix it in the oven to bake it. You must not bake it too hot or the grains will burn. During this time, the rice will turn darker or brownish.
Step 3. Separate the rice seeds from the husks
After the time is up, refrigerate. Then rub with your hands (or using a mash) to separate the seeds from the skins. Now you can see the real grain of rice. This will leave the rice grains ready to be cooked and consumed.
