BEGINNER’S CORNER
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by Raq
Neofit
Wheatgrass is a good source of potassium,
dietary fiber and vitamins A, B6, C, E and K,
amongst other things. And it’s easy to grow
at home! Follow these tips to get your own
batch growing.
Long called the nectar of the gods,
wheatgrass is one of the most concentrated, natural sources of amino acids,
proteins, enzymes, minerals, vitamins
and trace elements known to man. It’s
also the ultimate blood purifier, and all
you need to do is throw some in a daily
juice or smoothie. Simple!
Here’s the rundown on growing one
of the greatest additions to the ultimate health elixir at home.
Growing
Wheatgrass likes a well-ventilated,
shady area while sprouting, making
it perfect for indoor growing. Once
it reaches about an inch tall, keep it
in a well-lit area such as a windowsill. If you want to grow it outdoors,
keep it out of direct sunlight. If
you’re using grow lights, stick to lowwattage light bulbs.
110
Maximum Yield USA | November 2015
Wheatgrass will grow better if you
sprout it beforehand. Add a cup of
seeds to a large jar or container and fill
it with water. Make sure the seeds are
totally covered and allow them to soak
for 10-12 hours.
“Wheatgrass will grow better
if you sprout it beforehand.”
Strain the seeds through a finegrade sieve or kitchen strainer and
leave them to sit in the strainer for
another 24 hours. Rinse the seeds in
the strainer with running water every
4-6 hours or so. Your seeds will now
begin to germinate.
Place a ½-in.-deep layer of coco in a
tray measuring roughly 12- by 11-in.
Spread an even-but-dense layer of seeds
over the coco, ensuring you cover the
entire surface of media.
Coco or vermiculite are ideal types of
media to use because of their superior
water-holding capacities, and wheatgrass thrives when it is well-watered.
How densely you plant your seeds
will determine the airflow through
your grass. The grass generally takes
up less room than the seed, so you
should spread the seeds in a dense
layer to make the most of your tray
and yield. The best way to determine
the amount of seed required for your
chosen tray is to add the dry seed and
spread it densely across the bottom
of the tray. If the grass is too dense,
you could end up with some fungal
growth. This is harmless to you, but
make sure you rinse it off before
consumption. After you do this a few
times, you’ll have a better idea about
how densely you should plant.