HOW TO GROW WHEATGRASS WITHOUT SOIL
METHOD 1
GROWING WHEATGRASS IN A CLAY SPROUTER
I've got a clay sprouter which I often use to grow garden cress (Wikipedia), but as I've discovered, it can also be used to grow wheatgrass for juicing.
The clay sprouter is very good for growing small amounts of wheatgrass hydroponically, but for larger amounts I recommend growing wheatgrass in soil.
SUPPLIES NEEDED:
A clay or terracotta sprouter (amazon.com).
Clay sprouter - great for growing cress and wheatgrass.
Great for growing garden cress and wheatgrass (amazon.com)
For each or tray of the sprouter you need 1/4 to a 1/3 of a cup of organic wheat berries for growing wheatgrass (amazon.com) .
METHOD 1: HOW TO GROW WHEATGRASS IN A CLAY SPROUTER
- First soak the dry wheatgrass seed for 12 hours or overnight and then sprout in a jar or bowl for a day or two until they make a tail. If I'm are using all three trays of the sprouter then I use approximately a cup of dry seed.
Learn how to sprout wheat
For more information visit my "How to Sprout Wheat" page.
- It's important to soak the clay trays in water for a few minutes so that they can absorb the water. This will help keep the spouting seeds damp and should prevent them from drying out. Soaking the clay is especially important when the weather is hot. If you spread the germinated seeds straight onto a dry tray then the clay will suck the moisture out of the seeds.
- Spread the sprouted wheat evenly out onto the tray or trays. Remove any chipped or damaged seed that hasn't sprouted and may have white of blue mold on it (yuck). With good quality seed this should rarely occur.
Spread the seed evenly on the tray
Spread out the wheatgrass seed evenly.
- Stack the tray or trays you are using with the lid on top and the water catcher on the bottom. Water with a cup of water twice a day making sure the water runs right through to the base. Empty the base if it gets too full. The wheat grass will continue to sprout and grow.
SINGLE TRAY IN USE
Clay sprouter using one tray.
Clay sprouter with lid, single tray, and water catcher.
Keep the sprouter in a warm roon out of direct sunlight.
THREE TRAYS IN USE
All three tier in use.
Three tier sprouter
Wheatgrass starting to grow
Wheatgrass growing longer.
- After a day or two (The grass grows at different rates depending on how warm it is) the wheat grass will have filled the container and it's time to remove the lid. You will find that there are small white roots growing through the drainage holes. At this stage you no longer need to water the wheatgrass from the top and can simply keep the base of the sprouter filled with water.
Lid just removed
Lid just removed.
Tip: Mold thrives in damp conditions. Watering from below helps minimize the risk of white mold that can grow up the strands of grass by keeping the grass dry at the base where there is less airflow.
If you are using more than one tier then now is the time to separate them and place the extra ones into a seperate tray of water.
Growing wheatgrass without soil
Growing wheatgrass hydroponically on a north facing windowsill.
- Keep an eye on the water level, especially in the terracotta base as it's important not to let it totally dry out.
Starting to green up
Starting to green up.
Growing strongly. Roots white and healthy.
Stong green grass with healthy white roots.
Lots of roots!
Lots of healthy roots.
Wheatgrass Ready for Juicing
Wheatgrass ready for juicing.
Wheatgrass ready for juicing.
Time to break out the wheatgrass juicer..
- Harvest your wheatgrass as soon as it starts to branch. Cut (mow?) with clean scissors a couple of cms (1/2 an inch) above the seeds. Either juice your wheatgrass straight away, or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
FEEDING THE GRASS
When you water your sprouted wheat you can add organic liquid kelp (amazon.com) to the water to make it healthier and more nutritious. It is not essential to add anything to the water, but the grass will run out of food sooner if you don't. It's best to harvest the grass before the tips start to turn yellow.
METHOD 2:
GROWING WHEATGRASS IN A SPROUT MASTER SPROUTER
The Sprout Master Triple Sprouter (amazon.com) is used by many to grow wheatgrass hydroponically (no dirt!). An alternative to a clay sprouter the Sprout Master Triple Sprouter is a plastic sprouter that can be used to successfully grow wheatgrass. It's on my wish list!
The following quote is from an independant Sprout Master amazon.com review:
"Here's is something that will simplify your wheatgrass growing IMMENSELY! Begin by soaking about a half-cup of wheat berries (hard winter wheat is usually recommended) twelve hours (more or less) and allowing them to sprout for three days or so. When you are ready to spread these little sprouts out into your sprouter, first fit one sheet of natural, untreated paper towel in the bottom of the sprouter (you can find these untreated paper towels at almost any healthfood store)...."