Donegal Oats

Avena strigosa

This is an Irish heritage cultivar. Also known as grey or black oats.It is a reliable crop from spring sowing on even the most marginal of land. It has been grown in Europe since the Bronze age. Black oats were the predominate type of oat sown in this area until the 'white' A. saliva was introduced in the 1920's. It has rather gone out of fashion in Ireland. It has potential as a cover crop or green manure, and is used for that purpose on millions of acres in Brazil.Sow directly in the ground in early spring. Harvest when the grain starts to harden and finish drying in bunches under cover. It his hulled so needs threshing and de-hulling before it can be cooked and eaten.