Easy wheatgrass growing (photos), share yours too!

[floey]

So far I've grown 3 flats+ of wheat grass using this method, and wanted to share it with those who don't know and may be interested in trying, because it's really easy and simple! And no need to purchase wheatgrass kits and no soil!

And for those who have grown wheat grass before, it'd be great if you could share the way you grow your wheatgrass too! Love to learn any tips!

Well first I rinse then soak my wheatgrass seeds in an air tight container, placed in a dark cupboard for about 12hours.

The green seedling trays in the photos, I got from a $2 shop, and it was only $2 AUD for 4 trays. I soak a piece of newspaper and place on the bottom of the tray. Then I even spread out the seeds over the newspaper.
I cover the tray and place in the warmest area of my house (my room) I spray with water 2-3 times a day to keep it moist, so it's easier to germinate and grow roots etc.


Once little green shoots appear, I can then leave the tray open, and using a spray bottle, I spray once a day. During this time I keep it in an area of the house where there is some sunlight.



After about 7-10days, its a fully grown tray of grass! For piggies that like to tug out the grass, its best to trim off the grass and feed to them seperately rather than eating straight from the tray. I'm not sure, but I doubt it's good for them to eat the seeds and roots!

And it's ready to serve!

After the flat is finish, jsut roll up the newspaper below and throw away!

Does anyone else grow their grass this soiless way too? Or any tips to share?
Florence

[whittibo]

WOW, that's a great way to do it! I have the seeds but am too lazy to try it. I didn't know it would grow on newspaper!

That's AMAZING.

Now to find those green flats. :s

[mooser]

I've been wanting to do this for some time! If someone in the US figures out something similar to the green flats, please post it!

When I used to make sprouts for my bird, I saw hard red winter wheat berries often at Whole Foods. Is that wheatgrass seed?

[whittibo]

I talked to Cutemomomi about this once before. I bought Wheat Berries (seeds) from my whole foods place to add to my homemade bread. From what I gather from Momo, those are the same seeds she grows her wheat grass from.

[Sunny]

How does it grow without soil? Seems so odd.

I used to buy the flats and let me pigs go nuts. I never worried about seeds and roots being bad for them. Where did you hear that?

Now I grow wheatgrass in containers on my front porch which is fairly easy but I have to cut the grass to give it to the pig. I'd rather let them graze so I like the big flats.

[Amber23]

That is a great idea Floey. Im gonna have to try it!

[Tammy]

I get a mixture of seeds (wheat, barley, rye) from the pet supply store for $0.99 a packet. It's a good handful. Then I just scatter then in a sunny patch of dirt in the backyard and water every day. They seem to grow fatter and greener that way.

Some pigs will eat the roots and everything, some are picky and will only eat the green part.

You can also plant w/o dirt in platic cups with a piece of wet scrunched up paper towel and sprinkle the seeds on top.

[happyhoppy]

I have wheatgrass in a pot. I had forgotten about this soiless method.

When I was in elementary school in biology class we did an experiment growing seeds. We put soy and another seed in a wet cotton and they grew really well!

I didn't know I could do it with the newspaper.

[whittibo]

I suppose it's because the seed is just sprouting, so it doesn't need 'food'? Kind of like a potato that sprouts, doesn't need soil/food to grow, it just grows. :s

[floey]

Yep Yep it's really easy! Because I'm really poor at growing any plants, but I've managed to grow wheatgrass, so anyone can!

And you don't really need those green trays, I had grown some on a plate twice too!! Or maybe someone can try a rectangle shape baking tray?!

I'll post some photos later of the plate of grass and the seeds that I have. Though I'm not sure where to get the seeds from, because it was a friend that gave them to me. They're suppose to be really cheap and obtainable from produce stores.

[mooser]

I just went out and bought seeds. Cost 84 cents for a lot of wheat berries and rye berries. I was thinking about a baking tray, but wondered if they needed ventilation or something. I've heard they can mold if you don't do it right..

[JaneDoe]

That looks like a happy pig, Floey :)

[whittibo]

You cover them with the green things, when you grew them on a plate, did you cover them??

[TwoWhitePiggies]

The people at the health foods store told me that you can also grow them on wet paper towels. Thanks for the pictures! They've given me a boost of confidence.

[cutemomomi]

I grow my on paper towels too... well, that is at least until Ben killed them. Murderer!

[floey]

Mooser- This method does get very little bit of mold on the seed part after your grass has been watered for around 14 days or more. But if your piggies can finish the grass before that time, then it shouldn't be much of a problem! Plus it is only on the seed part, so you can just trim the grass for them.

Whittibo- When I grew them on a plate, in the first stage (before sprouting) I just covered the plate with a lid! The lid or any cover is just to keep the moisture level high and warm, like a green house type effect.
Here's a pic of my plates of grass, its a bit eaten at so looks a bit raggered, but none the less, it shows it can be done!



Two White piggies- I'm glad I can help and good luck with it!

[Tracis]

Thanks for sharing this, Floey. I've been thinking of trying to grow wheatgrass for a while, and now I know how to do it :)

[honeesmom]

What a fantastic idea. I am sure my girls will love it and maybe the lovebirds too.
Great snack and very inexpensive. Thanks for this idea.

[mooser]

Here's my progress so far. I'm trying to grow wheat and rye grass. Both are sprouting, I don't know if we'll get it to look like yours, but a little trial and error isn't all bad.





I wet the paper towel down 3x a day. More if I remember. I forgot to soak the rye, but it's sprouting fine. I did soak the wheat overnight before putting it on the paper towels.

[mooser]

Honee'smom, sprouting is great for birds. Sprouts are actually healthiest for birds when the seed is just sprouted, kind of like in my first picture. Wheat probably isn't the best thing to sprout, because many birds have allergies to it. But if you go to Whole foods, get some quinoa, rye, millet and soak it overnight and let it sprout a bit. It's very very healthy. Read more about it online, there's some precautions that need to be taken because the birds will actually eat the sprouted seed, so if there's mold it can be a problem. But birds love them, and it's extremely healthy for them, and not just a treat.

Sorry to go off on a tangent.