Wheatgrass is a hardy perennial inUSDA zones 2-10but is often grown indoors.
The older the grass gets, the more bitter it tastes.
Clip the grass just above the soil line.
Let the grass grow freely or trim it occasionally with scissors to the desired height.
Grow the potted grass inbright, indirect light.
How and When to Plant Wheatgrass
Growing wheatgrass begins with the right seeds.
Although wheatgrass seeds are sometimes referred to as wheatberries, they are hard red winter wheat seeds.
Wheatgrass seeds are readily available from health food stores and online outlets.
Pour the wheatgrass seeds into a 1-quart glass jar.
Carefully drain the water using a strainer or a cap with tiny holes.
After straining, cover the seeds with fresh filtered water.
Soak the seeds in fresh water for eight to 12 hours.
Then, rinse and drain the sprouts.
Light
Place wheatgrass trays or containers in a location where they receive plenty of indirect sunlight.
Direct sunlight can damage the delicate shoots.
The tiny wheatgrass plants die if you allow the soil to dry out.
Temperature and Humidity
To avoid mold growth, keep the air around wheatgrass plants dry.
Use a fan to keep the air circulating, and maintain a temperature of around 68oF.
If you live in a humid area,add a small dehumidifiernear the plants.
Fertilizer
Fertilize with a diluted liquid kelp fertilizer every other day while wheatgrass is growing.
Pruning
Pruning isnt necessary for wheatgrass.
Trim cuttings to use as you need them.
Like your lawn, wheatgrass continues to grow after you clip it.
Still, the nutritional properties are lower with the second cutting.
Its best tocompostor dispose of the sprouts and potting mix after you harvest the wheatgrass and start another batch.
Pests and Problems
When grown outdoors, wheatgrass can become infested with black grass bugs.
No insecticide can treat plants with this pest, so its hard to control.
However, when wheatgrass is grown indoors, the most common concern is mold.
Take steps to keep mold from developing on your plants.
With a spray bottle, gently water the soil so its damp but not soggy.
Place the pot in a warm location, about 70F to 75F, but away from direct sunlight.
Check the wheatgrass seeds daily.
They should be actively growing in three to five days.
A regular blender isnt strong enough to fully extract the juice from the grass.
Yes, wheatgrass can be planted as a groundcover.
If livestock is on a property, theyll eat wheatgrass, so its a good plant for farming.
Sprouted wheatgrass is ready for consumption in about six to eight days.
