Wheatgrass growing time?

[Minnie]

My wheatgrass book says harvest 9 to 12 days (or 6 to 12 inches tall). Is that 9 to 12 days after I take the lid off when itÂ’s about 2 inches tall after the first 3 days (therefore adding 3 days) or from the start? :confused:

I have already been growing wheatgrass but I havenÂ’t been counting the days so IÂ’m not sure. I want to juice a full tray every day. So then I would need either 9 to 12 trays or 12 to 15 trays going at once, so which is it 9-12 or 12-15? :confused:

I need to buy another grow rack darn it. Mine only holds 8 trays. :(

IÂ’m also having trouble getting water everywhere without over-watering, especially the first one. I do use a sprinkler head. ItÂ’s causing mold. ItÂ’s very frustrating! :mad:

Please HELP! :D

Minnie :p

[BDraw]

Oh boy, I'm almost afraid to answer your questions. I have grown wheatgrass, but never was able to swallow it, so quit trying. BUT, please check out this web site: wheatgrass.biz

It has lots of information, with pictures. I do have her sprouter and it works and things do not mold and they are not messy when watering. You may want to check it out if you are a serious wheat grass grower.

Good luck!

[EastCoastie]

Minnie,

We are starting a new tray of wheatgrass today. It will be ready next Wednesday or Thursday. Usually it's about a 7 day growing cycle.

BDraw, if I'm struggling with WG on the stomach, I mix it with something else. For example, today I am orange juice fasting and I dropped 2 oz. WG into 16 oz. OJ. My DH who has more of an issue with WG said he couldn't even taste it.

Good luck!

EC

[Shivananda]

My wheatgrass book says harvest 9 to 12 days (or 6 to 12 inches tall). Is that 9 to 12 days after I take the lid off when itÂ’s about 2 inches tall after the first 3 days (therefore adding 3 days) or from the start? It depends a lot on temperature and amount of light, but that instruction means 9-12 days in the tray. But I wouldn't advise growing to 12" tall. 6" or so seems to be about optimum for high quality juice and past about 9" you lose the "sprout" qualities. So that may take less time.


I want to juice a full tray every day. That's a lot of juice... 2 shots each for 8 people ferrinstance. Are you sure you need that much? I mean, fine if you do, but as a gardener I know that sometimes I wayyyy overestimate how much of something I will actually use. I'm currently growing a couple of flats a week for myself and it's actually more than I need so I wind up freezing some and giving it to others.


IÂ’m also having trouble getting water everywhere without over-watering, especially the first one. I do use a sprinkler head. ItÂ’s causing mold. ItÂ’s very frustrating! Two things... are you using the GSE I mentioned in your other thread to fight the mold? It really works well.

Second, I got myself a 1 gallon pressurized pump sprayer from Home Depot for $10 and I use it for all my watering instead of a can because I can really control how much and where the water goes. Just remember to strain your water/kelp/GSE solution before putting it in the sprayer so the tip doesn't clog.

Third, instead of using the tray with holes in the bottom (like most kits include) I got the kind without drainage holes at a gardening store and find they work really well for me. No drips and less watering too.

[lily]

Shivananda, am I right in thinking that 'a shot' of wheatgrass is 1 fl oz? If so, you seem to get a lot more of them per 'flat' than I do. I think I get enough for four people, not eight! Maybe my juicer isn't as efficient, though i do put the pulp through again. Just interested...

lily

Or maybe US and UK 'flats' aren't the same size, like our pints and quarts...

[Shivananda]

Shivananda, am I right in thinking that 'a shot' of wheatgrass is 1 fl oz? If so, you seem to get a lot more of them per 'flat' than I do. I think I get enough for four people, not eight! Maybe my juicer isn't as efficient, though i do put the pulp through again. Just interested...
...
Or maybe US and UK 'flats' aren't the same size, like our pints and quarts...US growing flats are about 10" x 20" A good juicer should give you close to 1 oz. of juice per 1 1/2 oz of grass, or about 10 shots per pound of cut grass, and the pulp should be very dry when done. If not, perhaps you need a higher setting?

Also be sure the grass is very welll watered for the 24 hours before you harvest it, so the grass plumps up very nicely and has lots of juice to give.

[lily]

Phew, it's OK, my grass isn't deficient, nor my juicer incompetent... our UK flats are smaller than your US ones! (Only 15 x 81/2 inches). I did what you suggested, Shivananda, and made sure my wheatgrass wasn't thirstly. Then I carefully measured and juiced 11/2 oz and found that it produced exactly an ounce of gorgeous dark green liquid. Hurrah!

Thanks, Shivananda, as always, for your very helpful advice. You're my wheatgrass guru!

lily