Wheatgrass contains many important vitamins and nutrients that can keep the mind and body healthy and vibrant. Having a “small glass” of wheatgrass juice as part of your daily breakfast menu is considered a healthy way to start the day. Unfortunately, this wheat grass is very expensive. If you want to make it a regular part of your diet, try growing your own wheatgrass at home instead of buying ready-made juice. This article provides information on how to grow wheatgrass from seed and make the most of it once the plant reaches maturity.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Soaking and Germinating Wheat Grass Seeds
Step 1. Look for wheatgrass seeds
Wheat grass is also known as hard winter wheat or wheat berry seeds. Purchase a bag of seeds online or at a health product store. Look for organic seeds from a trusted seller to make sure the seeds are not produced from pesticide-treated plants and will grow into healthy, bright grass.
Step 2. Prepare the seeds for soaking
Before seeds can be soaked and germinated, they must be measured and washed.
- Measure out enough seed to make a thin layer of seed on the tray that will be used for planting grass. For a 40 x 40 cm tray, use about two cups of seeds.
- Wash the seeds in cold, clean water using a sieve with very small holes or a sieve. Drain well and put in a bowl.
Step 3. Soak the seeds
Soaking the seeds triggers germination. At the end of this process, tiny roots will grow from the seed.
- Add cold water, preferably filtered, to the bowl containing the seeds. The amount of water is about 3 times the amount of seeds. Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and place it on the table. Soak the seeds for about 10 hours, or overnight.
- Discard the seed soaking water and replace it with cold filtered water - again, about 3 times as much water as the seeds. Soak the seeds for about 10 more hours.
- Repeat the soaking process one more time, so that in total you are doing 3 long soaks.
- By the end of the last soak, the roots should have sprouted from the seeds. This means the seeds are ready to be planted. Drain the seeds and set them aside until you are ready to plant them.
Part 2 of 4: Planting Seeds
Step 1. Prepare the seed tray for planting
Line the seed tray with paper towels to prevent wheatgrass roots from growing through the holes in the bottom of the tray. Make an even layer of organic compost or potting soil 5 cm thick in the seed tray.
- If possible, use paper towels that are not made with chemicals or dyed. Recyclable, chemical-free paper napkins can be purchased at health food stores.
- Use moistened compost or potting soil that is free of pesticides or other chemicals. Using organic soil is important so that you can get the most out of the wheat grass you grow.
Step 2. Plant the seeds
Spread the seeds evenly over a layer of compost or potting soil. Press the seeds into the soil lightly, but don't bury the seeds.
- It's okay if the seeds touch each other, but make sure they don't accumulate in any of the areas. Each seed needs a little space to grow.
- Spray the water on the tray lightly, making sure that each seed gets a little splash of water.
- Cover the tray with several sheets of damp newsprint to protect the newly sprouted seeds.
Step 3. Keep the seeds moist
It is important to ensure that the seeds do not dry out in the first few days after planting. Make sure the seeds stay moist while the roots begin to grow in the seed tray.
- Remove the newspaper and water the tray thoroughly in the morning to keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged.
- Use a spray bottle filled with water to lightly spray the soil in the afternoon to prevent the seeds from drying out during the night. Also spray the newspaper cover to keep it wet.
- After four days, get rid of the newspapers. Continue to water the grass shoots once a day.
Step 4. Place the grass in an area that is not exposed to direct sunlight
Direct sunlight will damage the grass, so make sure the plant is always in the shade in your home.
Part 3 of 4: Harvesting Wheat Grass
Step 1. Wait for the wheat grass to "split"
Once the shoots reach maturity, a second blade of grass will start growing from the first shoot. This is called “splitting” and it means the grass is ready to be harvested.
- At this stage the grass should be about 15 cm high.
- Generally, grass is ready to be harvested after going through a growth period of 9 to 10 days.
Step 2. Cut the wheat grass above the roots
Use shears to harvest grass by cutting it just above the roots and collecting it in a bowl. The harvested grass is ready to be juiced.
- Harvested wheat grass can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, but it tastes best and provides maximum health benefits when it is made into juice right after it is harvested.
- Keep watering the wheat grass for a second crop. Harvest the grass once it reaches maturity.
- Sometimes the grass can produce a third crop, but the quality is not as soft and sweet as the grass from the first crop. Empty the seed tray and prepare for the next planting.
Step 3. Begin the replanting process
You need a lot of grass to produce a few ml of wheatgrass juice. If you plan to make wheatgrass a part of your daily diet, you will need to plant more than one seed tray.
- Arrange the growing and harvesting cycles so that you have a new batch of seeds that are soaking while the previous batch of seeds takes root. If you have two or three batches of seeds in different stages that rotate, you will be able to produce enough wheatgrass to juice each day.
- Wheatgrass is a beautiful bright green color, and provides a natural touch in your kitchen or common room, or wherever you choose to grow it. Consider growing wheatgrass in a decorated container and surrounding the grass with other plants, so that you can enjoy the beauty of wheatgrass while reaping the health benefits it provides.
Part 4 of 4: Making Wheat Grass Juice
Step 1. Wash the wheat grass
Wheat grass is grown from organic seeds and planted in organic soil or compost, so it doesn't need to be washed many times. Just wash it lightly to get rid of any dirt or dust that may have accumulated from the air.
Step 2. Put the wheat grass in the juicer
The juicer specifically for wheat grass is designed to produce as much juice as possible from this fibrous plant.
- Avoid using a regular juicer, as wheat grass can clog and damage it.
- You can use a blender if you don't have a juicer. Once the grass is completely crushed, use a sieve to sift through the pulp.
Step 3. Enjoy your wheatgrass juice
You only need a few ml of wheatgrass juice to feel the effects of this amazing blend of vitamins and minerals.
Tips
- It is said that wheatgrass can cleanse toxins from the body. Drink wheatgrass juice to relieve stress and recharge your energy.
- If wheatgrass shows signs of mildew, increase air circulation in the planting area by placing a fan near it. When harvesting shear the wheat grass over the mushroom layer; grass is still healthy for consumption.
- Go to your local florist and ask for plastic trays used for plants from them-they usually throw away these unused trays. The size of this tray is perfect for growing wheat grass.
