How to Grow Wheatgrass From Wheatberries

What we call wheatgrass and wheat berries are actually the seedling form of wheat and its seeds, respectively. Wheatgrass has numerous common household uses, and its health effects have been widely touted. Many people incorporate wheatgrass juice into their diets or store flats of wheatgrass to feed small grazing pets like rabbits or guinea pigs. Growing your own wheatgrass is a simple and inexpensive way to ensure that you have a ready supply.

Wheat berries (wheatgrass seed)

Bowl

Water

Towel or cheesecloth

Plastic growing tray with drainage holes

Compost or soil

Spray bottle

Tarp

Rinse wheat berries thoroughly before placing them in a bowl and covering them with twice as much water as there are wheat berries. Place a towel or cheesecloth over the bowl and let sit for at least eight hours.

Rinse the wheat berries and allow them to remain damp (but not wet) for an additional 12 hours. During this time period, rinse them at least once. After this time period, the wheat berries should have begun to sprout.

Spread a layer of compost or soil across a shallow growing tray, about two inches deep.

Spread the sprouted wheat berries across the surface of the soil. The wheat berries should cover the entire area and should be very close to one another in a single layer.

Mist the wheat berries with water and cover with a tarp to prevent sunlight from reaching the seeds.

Remove the tarp after two days, or once you notice green stalks coming from the wheat berries. At this point the wheatgrass may be exposed to sunlight.

Continue growing for an additional four to five days, watering daily. Once the wheatgrass is between 3 and 4 inches tall, it can be harvested.

In warm areas, add a small drop of bleach to the initial wheat berry soaking to prevent bacteria growth.