The young shoots of wheat (Tritium L.) are called wheatgrass. Wheat is one of the sweet grasses that were cultivated as early as the 11th century. In addition to the nutritious seed, wheatgrass has also been used for a long time. Recently, the cultivation of wheatgrass has become very popular. The cultivation is very easy and possible even without your own garden. However, there are a few basic things to keep in mind.
seed
First of all, an important prerequisite for growing wheatgrass is high-quality seed. If the wheat has not been treated after harvest and has been allowed to dry naturally in the sun, it has a very high germination capacity. Organic wheat of the appropriate quality is available in health food stores or well-stocked drugstores. Conventional seeds or fodder are often no longer germinable and therefore unsuitable for cultivation. The variety and quality differences can be observed above all in the taste, the susceptibility to mold and the germination rate.
substrate
So that the wheatgrass is optimally supplied with water and nutrients, unfertilised, peat-free organic soil or coconut substrate is recommended. A loose structure is particularly important so that the roots can spread well. Only use soil with good water storage capacity so that the wheatgrass always finds a moist, fresh medium. Substrates without mineral fertilizers with a good proportion of humus and clay are best suited.
- relaxed
- good water retention
- must drain excess water well
- moderately nutrient-rich to nutrient-poor
- unfertilized
- peat-free substrates with sand content
- humorous
- coir substrates
- organic soil
Already about three centimeters of soil are sufficient for the cultivation of wheatgrass. Experience has shown that fleece or cotton wool can also be used, but in these cases the wheatgrass grows very slowly and sparingly.
cultivation
Wheatgrass can be grown very easily even by amateurs. Apart from occasional moderate watering, it hardly needs any care. A first harvest is possible after just two weeks.
Day 1: Soak
Basically, you don't necessarily have to pretreat the wheat grains before you sow them. Wheat naturally germinates easily. However, wheatgrass germinates a little faster and better if the seeds are soaked in room-warm water beforehand. They should be covered with water for a minimum of 6 hours and a maximum of about 12 hours to swell. This is best done overnight. After this time, the water is carefully poured off and the grains are rinsed with plenty of fresh water that is not too cold. Keep in mind that the seed will increase in volume significantly (up to 20%) within a short period of time. So use a sufficiently large container and leave some water over the wheat grains.
Wheatgrass Day 1, soaking the seeds
Day 2/3: Keep moist and dark
Spread the drained wheat grains evenly on a plate or in a shallow bowl to form a layer about two to three centimeters thick. This layer must be strong enough so that the remaining moisture does not evaporate too quickly. On the other hand, it must not be so lavish that mold may form in the lower area. To better retain moisture in the seed, cover the bowl or plate with a second plate. It is not necessary at this time for the wheat grains to receive light. On the contrary, the cover can even help to inhibit the formation of microorganisms or moss. Place a toothpick or match between the two plates to allow for minimal ventilation.
Drain and sow the wheatgrass
For the next two days, the wheat grains are rinsed with fresh tap water two to three times a day to keep them moist. Excess water is poured off after about a minute. A flat bowl can be used for this, for example, or a bowl and sieve.
Sow wheatgrass in a bowl with substrate
Although wheat germinates at very low temperatures, particularly rapid success can be achieved at room temperatures between 18 and 25 degrees. The root forms first, followed a few days later by the tender cotyledon. If it is too much trouble to carefully pull the seedlings apart again for sowing, or if you are afraid of damaging them, you can also sow them immediately after soaking.
Wheatgrass sown after soaking
Day 4: Sowing
After a few days, most of the seeds should have germinated. Now is the ideal time for sowing. Wheatgrass can be grown either with or without soil. There are various advantages and disadvantages for both methods. Cultivation without soil is recommended for beginners and anyone who grows wheatgrass indoors. In living rooms that are mostly moderately ventilated, mold can easily form in the soil and create a breeding ground for germs. Since the wheat grain contains all the nutrients that the plant needs in the beginning, cultivation is also possible without a substrate.
Wheatgrass germination on day 4 and day 5
with earth
Cultivation with soil
When growing wheatgrass on the balcony or in the garden, sowing it in soil is not a problem. The most important requirement, however, is that excess water can drain off easily. Using soil has different benefits. On the one hand, an even supply of water is guaranteed. In addition, the young grasses can also draw nutrients from the soil. As a result, the sweet grass grows more easily, especially after the first harvest.
seed tray
Shallow bowls with a soil layer of at least three and a maximum of five centimeters are ideal for growing wheatgrass outdoors. Only use containers that allow excess water or rainwater to run off easily.
sowing
When the grains begin to germinate, they can be sown. Be careful not to spread the individual seeds too thickly on top of each other on the substrate. Otherwise the seedlings only hinder each other's growth. A spray bottle that produces a fine mist is suitable for moistening.
- about three centimeters of soil is enough
- sow loosely
- maximum layer thickness of one centimetre
- Cover the ground evenly with seeds
- Do not cover seeds with soil
- Keep soil moist but not wet
- ensure good air circulation
For the first one to two days, cover the planting bowl with dark foil or a wooden board to protect the wheat grains from evaporation.
Lush green wheatgrass on day 9
Without earth
Cultivation without soil
Alternatively, wheatgrass can also be grown without soil. The disadvantage is certainly that the wheatgrass does not receive any additional nutrients. On the other hand, mold growth is less likely to occur without soil. Which method you choose is a matter of taste. Every hobby gardener develops his own empirical values over time.
germ shell
It is unfavorable if the grains lie directly on the bottom of a planting tray. That is why there are special planting or germination bowls for this purpose, which consist of a bowl with a removable sieve part. Anyone who grows wheatgrass regularly is well served with such a seed tray.
sowing
Even when sowing wheatgrass without soil, the grains should be soaked in water beforehand to initiate germination. After watering, the germinated seeds are spread flat on the sieve insert. The wheat grains should not be stacked too much on top of each other. Layers several centimeters thick make it difficult for air and moisture to circulate, leading to rot and contamination. In the first two to three days it is necessary to cover the seeds with a plate or opaque hood.
Day 5/6: Remove cover
If you carefully remove the cover on the fifth or sixth day, pale yellow seedlings about three to four centimeters long can be seen. From now on, the seed tray is set up bright and warm so that the green leaf color forms and the seedling can grow.
Wheatgrass is growing fast and visibly day by day
location
Never place the young wheatgrass in direct sunlight, especially not in the summer months. Indirect light from an east or west window is ideal. Partially shaded, sheltered locations are ideal outdoors. Artificial light from a plant lamp is also good for the wheatgrass.
- bright, without direct sun
- in winter also possible with plant light
- Temperature: 18 to 22 degrees
- well ventilated
Day 7 to 14: Rearing
Wheatgrass is growing at an incredible rate. It is important that you continue to keep the grass slightly moist. It is best to mist the grass with the flower sprayer once or twice a day. If the plants are watered, excess water should be removed after a few minutes.
Wheatgrass grows very quickly with the right substrate
harvest
After a few days, the characteristic green stalks form. With good site and soil conditions, the sweet grass grows at least one to two centimeters per day. The harvest usually takes place when the leaves have reached a height of about 15 to 20 centimeters. This is usually the case after about 13 to 15 days. At this stage, the wheatgrass contains the most nutrients and tastes particularly sweet.
- use sharp knife
- Cut 2 to 3 cm above the ground
Harvesting wheatgrass and preparing it in various ways
Wheatgrass cultivated without soil can regrow another four to five days and be harvested again. Plants grown on substrate are also allowed to regrow a little longer, so that a third harvest is achieved. Since wheat begins to change its metabolism at a certain point in time, it is advisable to replace the plants with fresh ones.