How to grow wheatgrass without soil?

Green smoothies and juices are a trend nowadays. Be it spirulina or spinach. Kale, spirulina or wheatgrass. Wheatgrass as the name suggests, is a plant grown from wheat. This is super-alkaline and helps maintain the pH level of the body. Now the main question is how to grow wheatgrass? We no longer have the luxury of lands and backyards.

If you are thinking will it help?

How does it benefit me?

What happens if I do drink it? How do I go about it?

Scroll below to find your answers.

10 health benefits of consuming wheatgrass:

1. Helps maintain alkaline level in body and build blood.
2. Cleanses blood ,organs and gastro tract.
3. 30 ml of wheatgrass is =1 kg of green leafy veggies approximately according to studies.
4. Contains 90 minerals and essential enzymes.
5. It has twice the amount of Vitamin A when compared to carrots.
6. It has more Vitamin C than oranges.
7. Supports lymphatic system.
8. chlorophyll content of wheatgrass helps protect body from  carcinogens.
9. Helps in weight loss.
10. Has high amino acids which are building blocks of protein.

How is wheatgrass a part of our Hindu Traditions?

Wheatgrass shots has been a trend for some years now. However, this has been grown in India for centuries. Growing this grass is also an important part of Navratri. Although there are 4 Navratri,2 main ones come at the change of season in Autumn(Shardiya) oct-nov and Spring (Chaitra) /mar-april.We sow the 7 different seeds in a clay pot and pray to Goddess Durga for her blessings and prosperity during the 9 days of Navratri. This ritual is called Ghatsthapna/Kalashthapna.Ghat/kalash meaning ghada or clay pot and sthapana meaning  estabilishing. We do it on the first day of Navratre during an auspicious time according to the Hindu panchang calendar.

How can this grain bring prosperity? Yes, it is a blessing which gives you good health. Nowadays consumed as wheat grass. Other different seeds sown are Til (Sesame), Jau(Barley), Dhan(rice), Moong(moong beans/green gram), Kangani(foxtail millets) and Chana(chickpeas) along with wheat seeds. Isn't it cool? What we thought is a new trend is actually going back to our roots.

Powder vs plant?

Many people feel powder is great for shots. Easy to use. Add a spoonful to vegetable juice. However, I was not sure.

What to check while buying your powder?

You will see many wheatgrass powders in the market if you go to buy a powder. How do you know which one to buy?

Always check your labels when you buy anything in the supermarket.

I swear by it and have changed my food habits over time after reading what goes inside the packet. Yes it is tough especially, if you got food allergies but slowly it becomes the course of life.

You must check it does not have any added sugars.

You also need to check that they should not be heat dried or contain other greens which may be acidic in nature.

Also, it needs to be powdered juice and not powdered plant. This makes having the powder costly.

Not many people know, it is very simple to juice it from the plant.

You can juice it and strain before drinking. This makes it sustainable, cheap and also fresh. Just make sure you juice it immediately after you cut the grass.

How much time does it need to grow?

Wheatgrass can be easily grown at home with or without soil. It takes 6-10 days before it can be juiced. I find it very satisfying to see plants grow. It kind of grows on you once you get the hang of it. I find it soothing especially in the days of quarantine. Does not take much time also daily. Just few mins to water.

Now how we live and think has changed. Good to see something which grows as it used to even before.

One tends to appreciate the gardeners and farmers more when you get down to tending your plants.

I find it very relaxing and grounding too.

It can also be a good hobby for kids when they learn to water and tend to those small plants.

They learn to appreciate food more, once they are involved in growing it.

How to grow wheatgrass at home?

You can easily grow wheatgrass at home. Best part, it doesn't need too much care. You do not need too much space and they easily grow in a small spot in your balcony.

You can grow these without any soil, just place a paper tissue at the bottom of a plastic box that has some holes.

This tissue will help to keep the wheatgrass moist. I like to re-use plastics at home if I cannot avoid it.

Mostly plastic containers for food, have holes for air circulation(very important) .

I use the ones I get my berries in. All berries come in plastic containers which are usually recycled. Whether its blueberry, black,raspberry or red juicy strawberries. You cannot find them without plastic containers in the market as they need care during transport. How do you re-use these containers so that they do not add to the dirt in the oceans?

Use them to grow plants. As they are already equipped with keeping berries fresh.

You can reuse them and fight plastic waste.

You may also sow them into a pot with soil from Day¾ once they have sprouted.

See the steps below on how to do it and gain your health.

Do it Yourself- Step-by-step growth

1. Day 1 - Soak wheat grass seeds/ wheat grains in a bowl, cover with water.
2. Day 2 - Change the water, continue to soak.

3. Day 3 - Take them out of water, let is sprout, keep moist
4. Day 4 - It will start to sprout

5. Day 5 - Once it has sprouted, lay these wheatgrass sprouts in a box with paper towels in a thin layer or sow them in a pot with potting soil.
6. Day 6 - The green shoots will start to appear, keep moist.

7. Day ⅞ -The grass will start growing, keep it moist, 1-2 times a day.
8. Day 12-13 You may start to harvest.

Cut the grass and make your own wheatgrass juice it using any juicer or smoothie blender. Strain and drink it. If you cannot have it alone, mix it with some fresh vegetable juice. Orange+Apple+Carrot works best.

Need more juice recipes?

• Instant strawberry crush
• Aam panna
• Blueberry spinach smoothie
• Watermelon mint cooler