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Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass

Introduction
Mr. John Doe

Head Director

Description

Wheatgrass is the freshly sprouted first leaves of the common wheat plant. It is used as a food, drink, or dietary supplement. Wheat has been cultivated for millennia and there are many hybrid varieties. In modern times wheat has been extensively genetically modified. It is extremely important to find Non GMO wheat berries for sprouting and growing. In addition, there are sources of wheat varieties that are better suited to sprouting for wheat grass. Organic seed suppliers and health food stores are good sources for non GMO wheat berries that are well suited to growing wheatgrass.
Optimal Time/Temperature for Germination:
Grown from wheat seed or wheat “berries”, wheatgrass can be easily grown indoors at any time of year and is an excellent source of winter greens.
Optimal Soil Conditions:
For indoor sprouting be sure to use food safe organic matter without chemical fertilizers.
Seed Planting Depth, Spacing and Procedure:
Soaking seeds aids faster germination. It is advisable to rinse wheat berries before sprouting to remove dust from shipping. Measure out enough seeds to create a light layer on the seed tray you use to grow the grass. For a 16″ x 16″ tray, use about two cups of seeds. Soaking: Pour cold water into the bowl of seeds. Add about three times as much water as you have seeds. Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and place it on the counter to soak for about 10 hours, or overnight. Drain the water from the seeds and replace it with more cold water again, about three times as much water as you have seeds. Let it soak for another 10 hours. Repeat the process one more time, for a total of three long soaks. By the end of the last soak, the seeds should have sprouted roots. This means they are ready to plant. Sprouting: Line the seed tray with a food safe cloth, to prevent the wheatgrass roots from growing through the holes in the bottom of the tray. Spread an even one-inch layer of organic compost or potting soil in the seed tray. Spread the seeds in an even layer, slightly spaced out across the top of the compost or potting soil. Lightly press the seeds into the soil, but don’t completely bury them. Water the tray lightly. Covering the seedling tray with a damp cloth or plastic will help retain moisture. It’s important to make sure the seeds don’t dry out in the first few days after you plant them. Keep them damp as they root themselves in the seed tray. Lift the cover and water the tray thoroughly in the morning so that the soil is wet, but not completely waterlogged. A spray bottle is recommended for watering and adding moisture to a cloth cover. Place the tray in a window with no direct sunlight. On the fourth day after planting, remove cloth cover to prevent the seeds from sprouting through it. Continue watering the sprouted grass once a day. Once the shoots are mature (about 6 inches tall) a second blade of grass will begin growing out of the first shoot. This is called “splitting” and means that the grass is ready for harvesting. After cutting off the first harvest, leaving roots and about 1 inch of grass stem intact, keep watering the wheatgrass to produce a second crop.
Best Companion Plants and Plants that Hinder:
Best grown as an independent crop, although wheat is an attractive plant as a backdrop or accent in edible flower gardens. Chamomile, only in small proportions benefits wheat. Corn benefits wheat. Wheat is suppressed in the vicinity of cherry trees, dogwood, conifers and maple trees. Root exudates of sorghum are poisonous to wheat. Tulip, Canada Thistle and bindweed adversely affect wheat.

Growing Instructions

Crop Maintenance

Moisture Requirements & Solutions:
Weeding Needs & Solutions:
Feeding Needs/Optimal Natural Fertilizers:
Pests, Diseases & Solutions:
When to Harvest/Number of days to maturity:
Usually ready to harvest after 9 or 10 days of growth.
How to Harvest:
Use a scissors to harvest the grass by clipping it just above the root and collecting it in a bowl. The harvested grass is ready to be juiced. Rinse wheatgrass and place in a blender or juicer. Optional to strain out solids and put in compost.
Optimal Storage temperature and conditions:
Keeps in the refrigerator for about a week but best used when fresh. Wheat berries can be stored in an airtight container for one year.
Optimal Preserving Procedures:
Seed Saving:
Allow the wheatgrass to mature fully and set seed in late summer. Wait until the wheatgrass becomes yellow in color and completely dried out before harvesting the seed. Gather the ripe seed heads into 2-inch diameter bundles. Tie the bundles with string 3 inches below the seed heads. These are called wheat sheaves. To separate wheat berries from chaff: Sever the bundles 3 inches below the string using a pair of pruning shears. Set the wheat sheaves upright and leave them for five days to dry out. To gather the seeds from the sheaves , hold the sheaf just below the string with the seed head upside-down inside a 5-gallon bucket. Beat the seed head against the inside of the bucket to knock the seeds loose. Repeat until all the sheaves have dropped their seeds. Winnow the seeds outside on a warm, breezy day or using an electric fan. Pour the wheat seeds into a wire-mesh colander. Rub the seeds lightly against the mesh to loosen the papery outer hull surrounding each wheat seed. Toss the seeds in the colander while allowing the wind to blow the papery husks away. Pour the winnowed wheatgrass seed into a sealable plastic container for storage. Seal the top and place the container in a cool, dry place such as a refrigerator or cupboard. Store the wheatgrass seeds for up to one year before sowing them. Wheat berries con- tain oils that can go rancid over time.

Harvest and Storage

Notes

Wheatgrass is packed with essential vitamins and nutrients. It takes a lot of wheatgrass to make just a few shots of wheatgrass juice. If you plan to make wheatgrass a part of your daily diet, you’ll need more than one tray of seedlings growing at a time. Mature dried wheatgrass is very attractive in dried flower arrangements. Caution, some people are seriously allergic to wheat and wheatgrass. Be sure to ask about food allergies before offering someone a beverage that is fortified with wheatgrass.

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