The Right Way to Grow Wheat Grass

Is it possible to drink pure sunshine? Folks who grow and drink the juice of crushed wheatgrass think so. That's why it's such a popular product with the health food crowd. Wheatgrass is easy to grow and juice and is contains lots of things that are good for you, but here's a few things you should know about growing wheat grass before you get started.

First of all be sure that you are growing Tall Wheatgrass with the latin name, Elytrigia elongata, as this is the preferred variety of wheatgrass that carries the most nutrients and is also fast growing. Most suppliers should know what type of wheatgrass they carry.

Next, use clean containers and use sterilized potting mix, not potting soil. Potting soil contains dirt and is usually not sterilized. The best potting mix to use for starting wheatgrass seed is Sunshine Mix #1. It is a sterile mix with a low level of fertilizer and minerals that are appropriate for starting seeds. Organic potting soils are not sterile. The reason you want to use a sterile potting medium is that fungal and mold organisms will grow when moisture, dirt and grass seed or mixed together. The fungus can ruin your grass crop as it spreads rapidly through the container. The molds can be dangerous to consume. If you notice mold in your wheatgrass crop, toss out the entire crop that is growing in the container. Only use the sterile potting mix for one or two planting then toss it out, clean the container, and start over.

Soak seeds overnight so they will be moist and place on the surface of the moist potting mix. Don't pile the seeds on top of each other. Lightly cover the seeds with more mix and cover the pot with three sheets of dampened newspaper. Check every day and when you see the seeds sprouting move to an area of bright but not direct sunlight such as a window that faces north.

Keep moist, but not wet and the sprouts will grow quickly. When the wheatgrass is 6 inches tall harvest by trimming back the wheatgrass to one-half inch as another crop will grow quickly. You should not need to fertilize, but if you do, use an organic water soluble fertilizer. Never use manure of any kind on your wheatgrass.

Lastly, use a juicer specifically designed for wheatgrass as a standard juicer can destroy some of the beneficial enzymes in the grass. Cheers!

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