Bernburger (Rispenhirse)

created by MarieLu at 05.11.2025

Features

Growth habit

lifespan: annual

growth habit: upright

growth habit: horst-forming

Nutzungsart: Mehrnutzung

heigth: 100 - 120 cm

wide: 90 - 100 cm

wide: 80 - 90 cm

leaves slim

Keimung: Dunkelkeimer

Schnitt: nicht erforderlich

Location

Soil: slightly sandy

light: Full sun

Soil: light

Soil: sandy

Soil: sandy to loamy

Cultivation Break

2 Years

Season Overview

Sowing

Harvest

Description

Millet (Panicum miliaceum) - also known as true millet, proso millet or baraga - is a species of the millet genus (Panicum). Proso millet includes numerous varieties, one of which is "Bernburger". The annual plant grows upright in loose clumps and reaches heights of up to 120 cm. The loosely branched panicles in which the grains ripen are characteristic of panicle millet. Many types of millet are annuals and have a very short growing period. Many panicle millet varieties are ready for harvest after just 100 - 120 days. Millet is a crop that has been used for a long time in human history. It is a gluten-free grain and is also often used as fodder and silage. Millet is also a great option in crop rotation, as this plant family does not include any vegetable plants. So you can add variety. A super undemanding and drought-tolerant catch crop, great for warm and dry locations.

Non hybrid

Not frost resistant

Growing tips

Millet is usually sown directly outdoors. However, the young plants in particular are not very competitive against weeds, which is why you should weed regularly. Diseases and pests are virtually no problem in millet cultivation - but bird damage is possible. During the growth phase, the plants need a steady supply of water, otherwise there will be no harvest. Otherwise, the plant is quite drought-tolerant and is a good catch crop in dry conditions - but then the harvest remains small. A layer of mulch can help to suppress weeds and retain water in the soil. Additional fertilization is usually not necessary. On the contrary: if too much nitrogen is applied, the stalks become soft and the storage capacity diminishes. You can either grow millet as a catch crop without harvesting, or harvest the grains. If you harvest the plant, the grains should be hard and evenly ripened. This is where the difficulty often lies: the panicles often ripen at different speeds. You can harvest when the grains can no longer be pressed in. Then cut off the panicles and hang them up to dry in an airy place. You can then thresh the grains. After harvesting millet, you can usually sow a subsequent crop with a short cultivation period, such as lettuce or radishes.