Numerous times we have heard of the benefits of wheatgrass. However, buying a shot of wheatgrass every day from your local juice shop can be a bit pricey. Considering the magnificent health benefits it offers, why not plant it in our homes?
Wheatgrass provides essential vitamins and nutrients; thus, its daily consumption can make our minds and bodies stay vibrant. Therefore, in this guide, we have put together helpful information on planting wheatgrass at home so you can benefit from its nutritious values at less cost. And for those who already have planted it, the article includes some brilliant tips on how to take care of it to ensure that it flourishes longer.
Growing Wheatgrass at Home
To grow wheatgrass at home, you will need organic wheatgrass seeds. You can then begin with sprouting the seeds by putting them in a container covered with a mesh after you have rinsed the seeds. Soak these seeds in one cup of water for about eight hours.
The next step is to drain the water completely by putting the container upside down. Once done, rinse the seeds two to three times and repeat the process for three more days. After three days, you will notice tiny sprouts being formed. As the sprouts appear, it indicates that the seeds are ready to be planted.
Now you must put one inch of planting soil on a tray with holes and water it, after which you can sprinkle the seeds onto it. Cover it with a newspaper or a lid and continue watering it daily. Once the grass has grown one to two inches, you can remove the lid or newspaper.
The grass should be watered daily, and once it reaches about five inches, it is ready to be harvested. While the entire process may seem simple, there are certain factors to take care of to allow the grass to prosper well.
Taking Care of Wheatgrass
Once the wheatgrass is planted successfully, you must ensure its quality growth. Be it a healthy meal or for decoration, these tips will help you in the upkeep of the grass.
Watering
You should water the wheatgrass twice a day using a misting bottle. Initially, the grass should be watered enough to keep the sprouts moist. This minimum humidity level is sufficient for the plants to get the roots into the ground.
If the soil is too wet, the roots can even rot. However, if you want to keep the tray in sunlight, keep a check on the growing medium daily. In that case, you may have to water the plant more frequently.
Lighting
If you want the wheatgrass to grow well, you need to take care of the lighting condition. During the sprouting phase, it should be kept in the dark. As we mentioned earlier, once the grass has grown 2-3 inches and you remove the cover, the tray with wheatgrass can be placed near a window to expose it to bright but indirect sunlight.
You will be surprised to see how fast the grass grows with adequate lighting. Even if you keep it for a short period under direct sunlight, it will still grow lush. After a couple of days, you can place the grass tray in direct sunlight for a longer duration while checking the growing medium and watering it more often. These conditions are ideal for allowing them to grow healthy.
Fertilizing
The grass doesn’t need to be fertilized regularly. It is a low maintenance grass; therefore, it is not important to boost its growth using fertilizer every time you water it. However, if you still want the grass to bloom quickly, you can add some liquid kelp fertilizer to the spray bottle and dilute it with water, which can be used for watering the plant.
Temperature
Keeping the wheatgrass under the correct temperature plays a significant role in its growth. As you start the process, make sure that the temperature is perfect. In the beginning, if grown indoors, the ideal temperature for its growth is between 15.5 and 24C.
You can keep it under any temperature once it’s grown at least 0.5 inches, and it can still thrive without any problems. But, make sure that the roots of the grass are comfortable. If possible, place the grass under a constant temperature during the entire process to get the best crop.
For growing it outdoors, try keeping it under a shade and look after the plant if the temperature increases more than 27C.
Harvesting
After about ten days of growth, you can begin harvesting the wheatgrass. When you notice that the grass’s height has reached about 7 inches and is entering the splitting stage – forming secondary leaves; it is ready to be harvested.
Make sure to cut off the grass above the roots using a super sharp knife or scissors. At this stage, after harvesting the wheatgrass, don’t forget to spray liquid kelp fertilizer. This will encourage further growth of the plant, ensuring second and even third harvesting from the same plant.
But sadly, the taste of the second and third harvest might not be the same as the first one.
Benefits of Wheatgrass
The reason that we all want to grow and take care of our wheatgrass plant is the fact that it is packed with unlimited health benefits. It is an amazing source of iron, magnesium, and calcium. Wheatgrass contains amino acids and is rich in vitamins, especially A, C, and E.
The grass contains antioxidants that protect us from heart diseases and prevent cell damage. Consuming a shot of wheatgrass juice daily helps keep us safe from cancer and many other health-related issues. Wheatgrass is great for reducing cholesterol and increasing good cholesterol too. Weight-conscious people may find it extremely beneficial because it contains thylakoids that release hormones. These hormones give you the feeling of satiety and fullness, eventually decreasing your hunger pangs.
We believe a surprisingly interesting advantage of using wheatgrass is slowing down aging. It aids in neutralizing toxins while improving respiratory function. You can get rid of that stubborn acne and scars, too, by having wheatgrass in the morning for breakfast regularly. For patients taking chemo, consuming wheatgrass is useful in protecting from the side-effects of chemo.
Live Healthy Stay Happy!
With increasing obesity rates, many of us are choosing a healthier lifestyle and switching to organic foods. Wheatgrass is an incredible choice that is tasty and nutritious at the same time. We can’t deny the fact that health is the greatest blessing, and to stay happy, we must stay healthy.
From protecting us from deadly diseases like cancer to getting rid of scars and delaying aging, wheatgrass has taken care of it all. And of course, what can be better than planting it at home to enjoy the benefits it has to offer. With a little maintenance and adequate conditions, wheatgrass can grow pretty well. Sow it, and then take good care of the plant so that you can reap uncountable benefits from it once harvested.