Side oats have all their branches on one side of the stalk. Hull-less oats, unlike the other types, have loose husks that separate from the seeds during harvesting. Oats can be grown in a variety of climates and soils. But they grow especially well in areas that have a cool, moist climate and fertile soil. Farmers may add fertilizer to poor soil to increase the yield.
Farmers grow two types of oats, spring oats and winter oats.
Spring oats are planted in early spring and harvested in summer. The date of planting and harvesting depends on the climate of the area. Spring oats account for more than 85 percent of the U.S. oat crop. Winter oats are planted in fall and harvested the next summer. They start growing before the weather turns cold.