Introduction: Grow Wheatgrass at Home
See more great growing ideas at: www.pondplantgirl.com/wheatgrass.htm
Also see great How to Garden videos at www.pondplantgirl.com
HAPPY GARDENING!!!
Step 1: What You'll Need
> Wheatgrass seeds
> Soaking Bowl
> Peat moss
> Paper Towel
> Planting Medium
> Growing tray
> Spray bottle
> Scissors
Step 2: Purchasing Wheatgrass Seeds
Wheatgrass seeds can easily be purchased online on eBay.com and the cost is only $3 per 1800 seeds total. I have purchased many of my garden seed through sellers online and have been very pleased with the results.
Step 3: Wheatgrass Kits
Wheatgrass kits can also be purchased online. They include the growing trays, seed, and organic soil too. The cost ranges from $35-$45 dollars plus shipping, but I will show you how to set up your own without the extra expense.
Step 4: Soaking the Seeds
Soak the seeds in a bowl for 8-12 hours. Change the water after about 5 hours.
Step 5: Planting Medium
The planting medium consists of 1 part peat moss mixed with 3 parts planting soil. My preference is Miracle Grow Organic Choice potting soil. It is well worth it and only cost about $2 more than the cheap stuff. Both the peat moss and Miracle Grow can be purchased at any nursery and also at Home Depot. Pour soil in a growing tray about 2 inches deep.
Step 6: Aquaponic Alternative
With aquaponics, no growing medium and no watering schedule is required at all. Simply line the growing basket with a thin sponge and limit the water level to the very bottom surface of the growing basket. See How to Winter Over Pond Plants with Aquaponics for more information. Wheatgrass video is coming soon.
Step 7: Growing Trays
Growing trays can be purchased for about $1.50 each plus shipping, however wheatgrass will grown in just about any kind of container; such as butter containers, vegetable tray lids, etc. However, trays should always have drainage holes on the bottom side.
Step 8: Planting the Seeds
Water the planting medium first. Then, spread the wheatgrass seeds evenly over the top.
Step 9: Propagation 3-Day Rule
Lightly cover the seed layer with paper towel and water with a clean spray bottle. Keep your seeds away from sunlight for 3 days. During this time, the seeds should be soaked in the morning and then lightly sprayed in the evening time for 3 days.
After the 3 days, uncover the wheatgrass and you will see little sprouts beginning to grow! Place the tray in a sunny window and mist the sproutlings with the spray bottle several times per day for 3 days. After 3 days, maintain moisture and growth with regular waterings - making sure to pour out any standing water.
Step 10: Harvesting
When the grass reaches about 7 inches tall, harvest with a pair of scissors. Be sure to cut only down to 1/2 inch above the soil line. You will receive about 2 harvests from your flat of grass that is full of rich vitamins and minerals!
See more great growing ideas at: www.pondplantgirl.com/wheatgrass.htm
Also see great How to Garden videos at www.pondplantgirl.com
HAPPY GARDENING!!!
12 Comments
11 years ago on Introduction
I love this idea! Thanks for sharing.
12 years ago on Introduction
I want to do this for my indoor cat & my 24 chickens!
14 years ago on Introduction
Thanks for the instructable.. some very interesting projects you have going on there. I will go visit your website.
14 years ago on Introduction
I have grown wheat grass for my cat and he loves to ignore it and chew on any plastic bags he can find. But enough about him; I've heard of putting it in a juicer, how else would I consume it? Can I eat it like a salad?
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Hi- You can add it to a salad and eat it raw, but I have not done so personally. Give it a try! GAiL
14 years ago on Step 10
This is good for indoor cats too I think
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Wheatgrass is very good for cats. I thought I would give it to my cat as an alternative to eating my houseplants. He took one bite of the wheatgrass and then when back to his bad ol' ways.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
You have to tell them not to eat it and put it someplace hard to get at.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Hi Scott - I just bought seeds from a nice lady on eBay. She said that it is great for both cats and humans too.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
first cutting, and to a lesser degree, second cuttings, are good for people(and MUCH cheaper than those drink places that charge $7 for ground up GRASS) If you have ruminent pets(gunie pigs, goats, horses, Buffalo, etc.) you can even let them have 3rd cuttings. IF you plant outside, and can keep the rabbits from eating everything, you can get a 4th cutting late, late in the season. Let it grow long(18" or more) then, harvest, and dry it as hay. much of the nutrients will be gone, compared to first cuttings, but it still makes for a tastey snack, for the critters.
14 years ago on Introduction
Gunie pigs love this stuff too. I grow it in old take-out containers. and got my "wheat berries" from a whole foods store. by the pound, instead of seed count, but i think it worked out about the same(but no shipping)
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
My dogs are always chowing down on the grass outside in the yard, and we ALL know what that does to the doggies! yuck... We have a whole food store down the street. I will check them out and see if they also have the wheat berries. Take-out trays are great! I believe in recycling "trash" for the garden whenever I possibly can. I have several plastic salad containers from the grocery store and will be using this for the wheatgrass. Thanks for your post!