Here is a fun treat for you, your kiddo and your kitty (if you have one). Wheat grass is extremely easy to grow and is great for green smoothies and/or nurturing your cat. This also makes a great science lesson even for the smallest ones in your family.
First, buy some wheat berries. They can be found in any supermarket that sells bulk grains or in health food stores. Place them in any kind of dish and cover them with water.
Soak the berries for 24-48 hours or until they begin to sprout. We change the water if it begins to look cloudy. Sprouted berries are fun to look at and pull apart.
Sprinkle the sprouted berries on top of your potting soil. You can use a very shallow dish if you like. (Pie tins make a nice little indoor lawn.) Go ahead and pack the berries close together--the seeds take up more room than the grass will. Water the soil, cover tightly with plastic wrap and put the pot into a dark place.
When the seedlings have fully sprouted, remove plastic wrap and place the pot near a window to continue to grow and green up. This is a great time to talk about why plants are green.
Within a few days you have grass! You can give it to your cat when it is a few inches tall. You want to leave enough time for the roots grow deep enough that your cat doesn't tug the blades completely out of the pot. If the grass is for you, you can start cutting whenever there is enough for your purpose.
Grass makes our indoor kitty frisky!
Enjoy!
Well, I just LOVE this idea....and a great thing to do with that pack of wheat berries stuck in my pantry! We'll get started on this little project right away :)
Posted by: Sandra ~ My Inspired Heart | June 16, 2008 at 05:29 AM
I think we'll try this!
Posted by: Tracy | June 16, 2008 at 07:27 AM
I thought that I had to soak the berries in my sprouter jar for much longer, like I do alfalfa sprouts. It hasn't been working, so thanks for the info. I'll try it your way. Maybe it will help our kitty adjust to being a totally indoor cat since he was injured and must stay inside for the rest of his life.
Posted by: Mom | June 16, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Thanks for the info. I have not been having good luck sprouting the wheat berries in the sprouting jar that I use for alfalfa sprouts. I will try it your way.
Posted by: Mom | June 16, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Oh my gosh, my cats would have a field day. I'm bookmarking this to do with MY girl this summer.
Posted by: Beck | June 16, 2008 at 11:05 AM
In Provence, they do this for the Sainte Barbe on December 4th. It's a tradition to grow wheat grass sprouted on this day...I don't know why, yet...off to look it up.
Posted by: poppy fields | June 18, 2008 at 11:19 AM
I can't wait to try this...Roo (my wonder cat) is going to love this! Thank you.
Posted by: Kate | June 20, 2008 at 07:59 AM
I really enjoy reading this blog and looking at the pictures..Thanks for the methods and tips for sprouting wheatgrass..You can also sprout other seeds and make it a delicious sprout salads.. :)
Posted by: SproutingSprouts | February 18, 2010 at 08:17 AM