So that I could provide useful information to students in our ADVANCED HOME BREWING class:
A few years ago I bought several different types of barley for malting and planting. First stop was the local farm/feed store for a 50 lb bag of cattle feed barley. It turned out to be 6-row of unknown variety. Grew beautifully in Western and Eastern Washington, planted in spring. June is a little late but will work fine. Cattle feed or anything for human consumption will be “UNTREATED”. “Treated” seed is sprayed with a colored dye, usually pink and something (poison?) to keep the birds from eating it. Barley will grow fine just scattered on the surface of moist soil. But is usually planted mechanically 1-2” deep. From planting to harvest is 90-100 days. It’s beautiful to observe! Easy as pie to grow barley grass or sprouts in the kitchen window for green smoothies too.
I have a few pounds of untreated Copeland 2-row malting barley I could share. Or look for Metcalf, Newdale, Harrington or others specified as “malting barley”. Cheap stuff from the feed store is probably 6-row.
I also spent dozens of hours experimenting with malting one to five pound batches. Also great fun. It’s not rocket surgery, but challenging. Then you can kiln/roast the grain to various darknesses and flavors. I put together a short one-page worksheet of instructions which I’m happy to share. All absolutely satisfying and fascinating! But really... not a cost effective way to get malt for brewing. But DO IT anyway just for fun!
I will find a couple pics to post later.