By: Gene Rodriguez, III
Learning how to grow wheat grass is an easy way to create a healthy snack indoors. Wheat grass has been used since the 1930s as a nutritional supplement rich in amino acids, minerals and vitamins. Wheat grass can be juiced into smoothies or used in salads.
How To Grow Wheat Grass At Home
- What you'll need. To grow wheat grass, you'll need wheat grass seeds (available online or at health food and garden centers), some soil (any soil will work, but potting soil is convenient), planting trays (any 1" to 2" deep container will work) and plastic wrap.
- Preparing your container. Fill your container with soil, leaving about a ½" to 1" of empty space. Your container should have drainage holes or slits and should be put on a tray that will hold excess water.
- Sprouting your seeds. To begin growing wheat grass, soak your wheat seeds in water for 8 to 12 hours. Drain the water from your wheat grass seeds and rinse them thoroughly. Repeat this process-you may have to repeat two or three times-until the seeds produce tiny, white sprouts.
- Spread the love. Moisten the soil in your container and then place your sprouted wheat grass seeds on the surface of the soil so that the surface is covered with seeds. It's alright if the seeds touch each other and even overlap a bit, but you don't want multiple layers of seeds. Next, cover the container with a layer of plastic wrap.
- Alone in the dark. Place your wheat grass tray out of direct sunlight-a closet or pantry will work well. Spray the seeds once a day with a light mist of water.
- Into the light. After three or four days, the wheat grass will begin to sprout. When most of the wheat grass has reached a height of 1" to 2", move the container to a windowsill that gets at least a few hours of sunlight per day. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy.
- Harvest time! After a week to ten days, your wheat grass should have grown to 6" to 8" and will be ready to harvest. Cut the blades of grass with a sharp pair of scissors about ½" above the soil. Wheat grass is best served fresh, but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
