Wheatgrass is now gaining popularity as a superfood that is packed with so many essential vitamins & nutrients to keep you healthy and vibrant. Taking a shot of wheatgrass juice with breakfast is one of the healthiest things to do. If you plan to take it every morning, then buying wheatgrass juice daily can be really expensive, so here we teach you how you can grow your own wheatgrass for juicing.
Growing and Juicing Wheatgrass
All you’ll need to start is wheatgrass seeds and a wheatgrass juicer. It is really simple and fun!
Step 1: Soak and Germinate the Seeds
Simply buy a bag of wheatgrass seeds at a health store or online. Make sure they are not treated with pesticides so that they grow into healthy, hygienic grass.
Take the seeds according to your tray size- if you are using a 16" x 16" tray then take about 2 cups of seeds. Rinse them well with clean water, drain and put them into a bowl.
Now pour thrice the amount of cold filtered water as the amount of seeds into the bowl. Cover it with a lid and leave the seeds to soak for around 10 hours.
Drain the water from the soaked seeds and repeat the long procedure of soaking two times more. After this, you’ll observe that the seeds have sprouted small roots. They are now ready to be planted. Drain and keep them aside
Step 2: Prepare the tray
To prevent the roots from growing through the holes at the tray’s bottom, line it with paper towels (chemical-free towels). Spread a 2-inch layer of potting soil/organic compost in the seed tray.
Step 3: Plant the germinated seeds
Now spread the drained seeds across the top of the tray in an even layer. Press the seeds lightly into the soil. Make sure that you don’t bury or pile them up in one area. Water it lightly and cover with moistened sheets of newspapers in order to protect the seedlings.
Step 4: Water it regularly
Keep the seeds damp for the first few days as they root themselves. Water the tray every morning by lifting the newspaper. It should not be completely waterlogged. Slightly mist the soil and the newspaper every evening using a spray bottle.
Remove the newspaper after 4 days and continue watering every day. Keep the tray in partial sunlight in a shady place.
Step 5: Harvest it
When the grass matures, a second blade of wheatgrass will start growing out of the first one. Now, cut the wheatgrass just slightly above the root using a pair of scissors and your wheatgrass is ready to be juiced.
It can be kept in the refrigerator for a week, but it will taste the best if you juice it immediately. You can keep on watering the wheatgrass in the tray, as it would produce a second crop. After you harvest it for the second time, start over again with new soil and new seeds. If you plan to have wheatgrass juice daily, it is recommended that you plant several trays simultaneously.