After a springtime trip to Kenyan to work with Seed Savers Network Kenya with the Open Source Seed Initiative in March I became more curious about the wide variety of grass species we call Millet and their role in agro-ecological systems. One of the primary staple grains throughout Eastern Africa, it is not consumed in the USA much and seldom used outside of birdseed mixes. Interestingly, millet is the 5th most commonly cultivated grain crop in the world after wheat, rice, corn and barley. Most varieties are fairly drought adapted and can grow where the more water intensive tropical grasses corn and rice cannot. It is commonly used in the making of alcoholic beverages throughout Asia and Africa. All varieties are frost sensitive subtropical grasses.
There are 4 major types of millet which include Pearl (the most common grain type), Proso, Finger, and Foxtail (the type used for birdseed).
• Foxtail millet has a hull which is quite difficult to remove and are most typically grown for floral arrangements and poultry feed. Seed heads are dense clusters of small seeds that grow from 4-10” long in a drooping form that resembles a fox's tail. Explore Seeds Here
• Pearl Millet is a tropical grass that resembles corn until seed heads form that rise 8-12’ above the grown like a valiant torch to the sun. Densely packed bluish ivory seeds cluster around the stem and grow from 10-20” long. They make a striking addition to larger floral displays. Explore Seeds Here
• Finger Millet grows to about anywhere from 12-48” tall depending upon the variety. 4-8 Panicles containing small seeds reach skyward, curling in much like a claw. Seed has a hull that is difficult to remove, so they are more commonly grown for floral arrangements and birdseed. Knowwn as "Raji" in India.
• Proso millet is a 2-3' tall subtropical grass that produces a loose drooping panicle of copper to white seeds with a hull that must be removed for human consumption.
Interestingly, millet is the 5th most commonly cultivated grain crop in the world after wheat, rice, corn and barley. Grain is naturally hulless and easy to grow on a homestead scale for food, poultry feed and decorative accents to bouquets. For North American gardens and homesteads, millet most often finds a role being grown for poultry feed or stunning and unique additions to showy floral arrangements. This is why we list millets under both our Grains category and Flowers. Perhaps you'd like to try growing some this upcoming season and learn about the fascinating world of agrobiodiversity?
Foxtail Millets
Finger Millets
Pearl Millet
Proso Millets
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