Can Wheatgrass Be Cut Twice?

Print this articleWheatgrass refers to the younger grass blades of the common wheat plants. The plants are also referred to as green gold or green blood given their rich nutritional content. Wheatgrass is cultivated both outdoors and indoors and may be cut twice for use. The grass is sold in various forms, including fresh and as powder, tablet and frozen juice. Wheatgrass is easy to cultivate indoors.

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Wash and soak about a cup of wheat seeds for about 12 hours and let the wet seeds sprout for another 12 hours. Spread a thin layer of equal amounts of peat moss and soil in a shallow tray. Spread the sprouted wheat seeds on the soil and cover with another thin layer of soil and peat moss mixture. Water and cover with another tray and let stand for two to three days. Uncover and keep the tray in filtered light. Water daily.

Harvesting

Wheatgrass is ready for harvesting when the grass is 7 to 10 inches tall, dark green in color and stands upright. This usually takes anywhere between six to 12 days depending on growth conditions. To cut grass, use a sharp knife, and holding the blades with one hand, cut as close to the soil as possible. Juice and use right away. Start watering the roots and wheatgrass can be cut again once grass is tall enough.

Second Harvest Recommendations

Though a second batch of wheatgrass may be harvested from the roots, the nutritional level of the second batch is not as high as the first batch, Loraine R. Degraff says in her book "The Complete Guide to Growing and Using Wheatgrass." This is because most of the seed energy is spent in producing the first batch. The soil also has reduced nutrients the second time around. Therefore, it is recommended to use fresh soil and newly sprouted seeds for the second harvest.

Nutrional Value

Wheatgrass is a rich source of vegetarian protein, the anti-cancer compound laetrile and mucopolysaccharides. The nutritional value in 15 lbs. of wheatgrass is equal to that in 350 lbs. of vegetables, Linda Page writes in her book "Detoxification." Wheatgrass is rich in vitamins A, C and B; minerals, numerous amino acids such as leucine, lysine, valine and threonine; and contains over 70 percent chlorophyll.

References"The Complete Guide to Growing and Using Wheatgrass"; Loraine R. Degraff; 2010"The Wheatgrass Book"; Ann Wigmore; 1985"Detoxification"; Linda Page; 1998Read Next:

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