The techniques in cultivating juicing seeds for optimal results differ by seed variety. Wheatgrass for example requires soaking the seeds and then sprouting them in a jar. On the other hand, Oat Grass is cultivated best by a brief soaking, while Barley Grass requires multiple seed soakings. This guide on how to grow juicing greens provides insights for successfully cultivating these nutrient-rich greens, ensuring a fresh and healthful supply for juicing.
Growing Wheatgrass
1. Soak your wheatgrass seeds for 8-12 hours, or overnight (we soak for 24 hours if it’s cooler). Note that the seeds are sometimes called wheatgrass berries, but they are in fact seeds.
2. Sprout the seeds in a jar for the next 16-24 hours, rinsing the seeds well twice a day in the morning & evening.
3. When ‘white tail’ sprouts are visible on your seeds, place them onto your soil – do not bury the seeds, but cover them with a tray or damp paper to keep the environment and the seeds moist.
4. Water your tray very thoroughly but gently once in the morning, and then cover the seeds again to stop them from drying out. In the evening lightly mist them to keep them moist. Do this for the first three days.
5. On the fourth day, uncover your grass. Roots are beginning to take hold. Continue to water heavily once a day and keep the grass in the shade (never direct sunlight).
Note that if there is enough daylight in your growing room to see without turning on a light, then there is plenty of light for your grass to green up. However if there is not, you may want to change the source in that room for a full/wide spectrum bulb, illuminating only for as long as the sun would be out.
6. For mould problems, increase your air circulation with a fan or A/C to keep temps between 60-80 degrees fahrenheit.
7. Harvest grass when a second blade of grass appears from an individual plant (when the grass ‘splits/joints’ toward the bottom of the blade). This will usually be at around 7-12 days depending on the weather, but keep a close watch for the second blade rather than relying on the number of days or how tall the grass is.
A pair of scissors works well to cut the grass. Harvest low, just above the seed.
Remember it is better to harvest your wheatgrass sooner rather than later – the older it gets, the more bitter it tastes.
8. Your cut grass will store in a fridge for up to 7-14 days at 38-40 degrees fahrenheit.
The grass will re-grow from the seed, however new growth will have 50-75% less nutritional value; this can be given to your animals. To maintain your health-giving supply, restart the process with new seed and soil.
Growing Oat Grass
Use approx. 1 cup of dry oat grain for an 8 x 14″ tray.
Cover the oat seeds with plenty of water and allow them to soak for 3-4 hours, straining, rinsing and re-wetting several times.
Note: Oats can get waterlogged if soaked too long. We know from experience that 4 hours is about the limit if you want a good crop of Oat Grass; less is more. You cannot give them too much water, but you can soak for too long.
Use a plastic container with a min 3” depth and several drainage holes in the bottom in which to plant. Have a spare identical tray ready for covering the first one later.
Use preferably peat, or seed/general compost to a minimum 1” depth in one of your trays. The more soil you use, the more water it can hold and the less you will need to water.
Rinse your oat seeds one last time and sprinkle them across the soil. Spread them out as evenly as you can. We have soaked a lot of seed and you’ll need to level it all over the compost. Do not worry if your seeds lay on top of each other – the plant will take up less room than the grain did.
Cover the planted tray with the empty tray to keep the seeds moist. You will water your seeds through this tray rather than directly onto them. Keep seeds damp and not too warm or you will encourage mould/mildew.
Place in a shady area. 70° Fahrenheit is optimal, but Oat Grass will grow very well in cooler temperatures also. Water lightly once or twice a day. The goal is to keep the sprouts moist until their roots bury themselves in the soil. Spraying the sprouts is an option as this will rinse them.
After 3-4 days (when the grass is 1-2 inches tall) you can uncover your oatgrass. Move to a well-lit location to allow the plants to green-up. Water the soil daily to maintain moisture levels – in direct sunlight be prepared to water more often. If you can, water from the side and avoid wetting the young leaves; this will prevent injuring the tender blades as well as stopping them from turning yellow.
Now watch it grow for a further 7-10 days before harvesting.
Note: If you experience mould in your Oat Grass then lessen the amount of grain you plant. The hotter/more humid the temperature is, the more of an issue a mould/fungus can be. You may need to adapt to your own home and seasonal conditions.
Growing Barley Grass
1. Place seeds in a large bowl. Cover completely with cool water of approximately 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit. Stir the seeds around in the water to mix and let them soak for about 8-12 hours or overnight.
2. Drain the seeds. Use a colander held over another bowl, or line the colander with cheesecloth to avoid losing seeds. Rinse the seeds with cool water and allow to drain.
3. Set the seeds in direct sunlight or in an area of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Let them sit there for 8-12 hours.
4. Rinse and drain the seeds again and set out for another 8 to 12 hours. Repeat this step one to three more times, until the seeds have sprouted tiny roots of approximately 1/8 to 1/4 inch long.
5. Fill a seed tray to the top with potting soil. Use a tray with drainage holes in the bottom. Water the soil thoroughly so that it is soaking wet; if necessary, mix the water down into the soil with your hands or a spade.
6. Spread the pre-sprouted seeds over the top of the soil as evenly as possible. Do not push the seeds down into the soil. Cover the tray with another seed tray; make sure the cover has drainage holes to allow air circulation.
7. Place the tray in an area with low lighting and a temperature of about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooler temperatures will work too, but if it’s too hot, mould could grow on the grass.
8. Water once or twice daily to keep the seeds and soil moist. Use a mister or light spray so as not to disturb the seeds.
9. Once rooted, water once a day, again with a mister or sprayer so as not to injure the delicate grass. Do not over water.
10. Remove the top cover when the grass is around 1-2 inches tall. This usually takes 3-4 days. Set the tray in a well-lit area and continue to keep the soil moist.
11. Harvest the grass after about 10 days, or when it reaches 6 to 8 inches tall. Cut the grass right above the soil. If juicing, only cut as much as needed.
