Wheatgrass occupies an exclusive position among health food options – it is known as a superfood, with many therapeutic as well as nutritional values.
An antioxidant, wheatgrass has substantial antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-toxin properties.
It can lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and arthritis, improve energy, metabolism, and cognitive functions, boost your immune system and improve digestion.
All of these properties are present in more concentrated and better form in wheatgrass microgreens.
Depending on how they are grown, wheatgrass microgreens contain high amounts of vitamins (A, B complex, C, E, and K), essential minerals (iron, calcium, and magnesium), 17 amino acids, enzymes, proteins, chlorophyll, and phytonutrients.
This is why they are so good to the human body!
Growing wheatgrass microgreens at home would ensure a ready supply for your own consumption, or for supply to others. A few precautions may be necessary.
The table below captures the broad profile of wheatgrass microgreens.
| ATTRIBUTE | PROFILE |
| Flavor | Given that it is an actual grass variety, wheatgrass microgreens are fibrous to taste but also mild and sweet. |
| Pre-Soak (Yes/No) | Wheatgrass seeds have a large shell – pre-soaking will help break the outer seed shell. |
| Color | While wheatgrass microgreens do not necessarily need sunlight, they will get greener with more light. Typically, they have a distinctively green color. |
| Germination Time | Germination within 3-4 days after the seed has been soaked. |
| Harvest Time | Within 7-9 days from planting. |
| Green Thumb Level (1-5) | 1-2 – Easy to grow provided you watch out for mold. |
Wheatgrass is among the easiest microgreens to grow at home.
Answers to some FAQs about wheatgrass microgreens is provided below.
Wheatgrass microgreens can be regrown after harvesting, though the second pot will typically not yield as much wheatgrass as the first batch.
Use the same seed quilt as the first planting but swap out the water for best results. The second batch may be more fibrous and shorter. There may be a taste difference also.
Wheatgrass microgreens start to germinate by 2-4 days after planting and can be harvested within 7-9 days. Light, heat, and moisture do make a difference in the speed of growth. Warmer temperatures advocate for a better growth rate.
Wheatgrass microgreens can be used in teas and juices, which is one of the preferred modes of ingesting them – given their long list of health benefits. They can also be used therapeutically, for example, to make poultices.
You can also add them whole to your blender when making smoothies.
Wheatgrass is known to contain selenium, which can be toxic to humans if an adult ingests more than 400 micrograms per day on a consistent basis.
However, selenium is an essential non-metal that we need – which is why it is included in baby food and health supplements. You should be careful but not scared.
Wheatgrass is among the easiest microgreens to grow, which is why there are multiple methods that can be utilized. What we present below is a safe process that will ensure success most of the time, but there could be simpler approaches with some of the steps as noted.
Full starter kits for wheatgrass microgreens are available at multiple vendors, such as this kit from TrueLeafMarket.
The following pieces of equipment should be procured if you buy items separately:
Sealable Mason Jar(s): Wheatgrass seeds must be soaked for 12+ hours before planting. If you want them pre-sprouted, two days may be necessary. A 16 oz or quart-sized mason jar with a screw-top may be the best option:
Growing Medium (Coconut Coir preferred): While fine-grained soil can be used to grow wheatgrass, coconut coir is often preferred. Wheatgrass is extremely prone to mold. Coconut coir holds moisture in towards the bottom and leaves the seeds less soaked, so its ideal for wheatgrass microgreens:
Growing Trays (Bottom and Top): The easiest way to control water content and light in a wheatgrass tray is by using three trays, two without drainage holes and one with. Try these 20” by 10” trays (some prefer 10” square trays):
and
Misting Bottle/Spray Can: In keeping with the theme of controlling water, a simple misting can should be kept handy:
Light Source: Wheatgrass can grow fast even without sunlight if planted indoors, but indirect sunlight or grow lights, such as the choices shown below, can be utilized:
(Optional) Heating Mat: Wheatgrass germinates fast, so a heating mat may not be necessary, but some options are shown below:
(Optional) Microgreen Planting Rack: A Microgreen Planter Rack fitted with growing lights may come in handy. You can customize or retrofit a simple rack such as the one below:
A number of wheat seeds can be used by amateur growers. With some of them, it’d difficult to distinguish whether they are in fact truly wheatgrass. True Leaf Market, the industry leader, has been suggesting a few reliable options over the past decades:
Wheat Hard Red Spring Grass Seeds
The #1 option among wheat seeds offered. It shows a high germination rate (98-100%) and even patterns of growth, as described here:
Wheatgrass - Hard Red Spring (Organic) - Grass Seeds
Whole Buckwheat Sprouting Seeds
Whole buckwheat can be sprouted and/or grown as microgreens. Typically, they will grow best in soli:
Buckwheat - Whole (Organic) - Sprouting Seeds
Whole Barley Grass Seeds
Whole (hull-on) barley seeds can be sprouted into thick bladed barley grass for maximum juice yield:
Barley - Whole (Organic) - Grass Seeds
Winter Rye Grass Seeds
These microgreens will have a distinctive sweet rye flavor with texture similar to wheatgrass or barleygrass:
Rye - Winter (Organic) - Grass Seeds
Triticale Grass Seeds
This variant, which has a markedly sweet taste after germination, may not be conventional wheatgrass but is close enough. It’s a versatile microgreen which can be used in juices or as flavoring:
Triticale (Organic) - Grass Seeds
Whole Oats Grass Seeds
Oats with the hull on cannot be used as food, but are suitable for animal feed and/or growing oat grass:
Below is a video showing a step-by-step process you can follow to grow wheatgrass microgreens:
The specific steps are described below.
Wheatgrass microgreen seeds must be pre-soaked prior to use. Throughout the process, care must be taken to avoid any possibility of mold due to overwatering.
In the initial stage, grow the wheatgrass microgreens in the dark – though this is not strictly necessary with grass.
As mentioned below, wheatgrass microgreens should be ready to harvest any time after day 7 from when they have been planted. The longer they become, the less sweet they are. Most prefer wheatgrass microgreens to be between 5-8 inches long, though they will grow longer if you let them.
Normally, wheatgrass microgreens placed in a refrigerator between paper towels should be usable for 2-3 days. To store longer, use an airtight container (e.g., sealed plastic bags) – which should keep them edible for up to 10 days.
To package and sell (ship) wheatgrass microgreens, wrap them in paper towels to continue absorbing excess moisture, then place them in sealed bags or containers to ship. While they should be used within 7 days for best results, they could stay usable for twice as long if packaged correctly.
Wheatgrass has become the ingredient of choice in smoothies, juices, and flavorings due to its excellent health benefits. Microgreens have the same effects but are sweeter and even more nutritious. Wheatgrass is easy to grow at home and will provide nutritious goodness for the whole family.
