Growing Barley in California
Can you grow Barley in California? Not typically viable. Season ~26.2°C, rainfall ~439 mm, winter low ~0.1°C. Soil, climate and ROI data.
Decision snapshot
Regional climate screen · Not typically viableScreening answer: Barley is not typically viable in California: growing-season temperatures (~26.2°C) run well above its 15–20°C optimum.
Scope: This page assesses agronomic suitability. It does not determine whether cultivation is legal. Check current national, state, and local rules before planting.
- Observed region
- California
- Climate window
- Open-Meteo archive, 2021–2023 daily data
- Resolution
- Representative regional centroid, not a field survey
Assumptions, fit-shortfall, and next checks
A representative centroid and regional climate window cannot establish parcel soil, water access, elevation, infrastructure, labour, contracts, or local farm-gate economics. Use this page to identify the next question, then verify local evidence before committing capital.
Sowing Barley in California
Barley is not typically viable in California: growing-season temperatures (~26.2°C) run well above its 15–20°C optimum.
Monthly soil-temperature context
Select a month. Meeting a temperature threshold does not establish sowing suitability; temperature alone does not determine suitability.
April: Regional constraint
- Soil temperature (0-7 cm)
- 17.4°C
- Mean air temperature
- 16.7°C
- Days at or below 0°C
- 0.0 days
Barley is not typically viable in California: growing-season temperatures (~26.2°C) run well above its 15–20°C optimum.
Reference period: 1996-01-01 to 2025-12-31. Soil temperature depth: 0-7 cm.
Reference location: 37, -120. Single regional reference location; not a region-wide spatial average.
Climate data: Weather data by Open-Meteo, using ERA5-Land reanalysis. CC BY 4.0. Regional values are derived by AgriAuditor; reanalysis estimates are not measurements in your field.
0 soil-temperature fallback days recorded.
Market Demand — Barley
Global consumption & trade · FAO 2010–2023Is Barley viable in California?
Barley is not typically viable in California: growing-season temperatures (~26.2°C) run well above its 15–20°C optimum. Barley (Cereals & Grains, annual) performs best around 15 - 20 °C with a seasonal water requirement of 400 mm / season. Run a coordinate-level audit for mapped field-level estimates and local risk context.
Sowing guidance and climate context (Barley in California)
Barley is not typically viable in California: growing-season temperatures (~26.2°C) run well above its 15–20°C optimum.
Growing Barley in California: what to expect
Annual rainfall in California is about 439 mm, while the stored Barley profile lists about 400 mm per crop season. Those periods are not directly comparable and cannot establish irrigation need; verify in-season effective rainfall, crop stage, soil water storage and system efficiency locally. By temperature, Barley in California is sown in February and harvested in May; on land without irrigation the rains can move that.
Soil and climate requirements for Barley
Compare mapped conditions for a selected field with the crop-profile requirements below before making a planting decision.
| Parameter | Barley Requirement |
|---|---|
| Soil pH | 6 - 8 |
| Water Requirement | 400 mm / season |
| Optimal Temperature | 15 - 20 °C |
| Waterlogging Tolerance | Intolerant |
| Nitrogen Demand | High |
Reference yield and price range
The figures below are crop-profile reference values, not a field-specific yield or profit forecast. Local costs, grade, packout and buyer terms still need to be entered or verified. For official USDA ERS production baselines and field calculations, use the Barley yield per acre calculator.
| Metric | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Reference yield per hectare | 3.1 t/ha |
| Reference yield per acre | 1.25 t/acre |
| Market Price | $150 - $300 / t |
| Estimated Gross Revenue | $698 / Hectare |
Interactive Yield & Revenue Benchmark Calculator
Model regional bushels, metric tonnes, and gross revenue per acre against USDA benchmarks.
Planning to Grow Barley in California?
Screen soil pH, temperature thresholds, monthly rainfall, and modelled margin assumptions across the available crop profiles.
Turn Search Insights Into Action
Run free instant calculations on soil compatibility, expected net margin, and fertilizer budgets.
Crop, Soil & Climate Screen
Compare pH, rainfall, temperature, and frost indicators across the available crop profiles at a selected location.
Crop ROI & Margin Estimator
Estimate yield per hectare, market revenue, labour expenses, and net margin from your assumptions.
NPK & Irrigation Calculator
Estimate Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium (kg/ha), and seasonal irrigation water requirements.