Drying grain on tarps: a simple method that works

Many harvests are dried in the open. Done well it costs almost nothing; done badly it invites mould, insects and toxins.

Set-up

Use a clean tarp or concrete floor, never bare soil. Spread grain in a thin layer, about the thickness of a hand, so the sun and wind reach all of it. Keep animals and birds away.

During the day

Rake or turn the grain every hour or two so it dries evenly. In the afternoon, gather it into a heap before the heat fades and cover it for the night. Cover quickly at any sign of rain.

When it is dry

Cereals such as sorghum and millet should reach about twelve to thirteen percent moisture before storage. A moisture meter is best; the bite test is only a guide. Let grain cool before bagging, and fill bags only with fully dry grain. Damp grain in a sack heats and spoils.