One of our most favorite family traditions is to grow grass for spring decorations and for Easter baskets. It is really simple and with proper watering and care, it can fill your baskets with several inches of grass in a week!
You just need a few supplies to get started:
- Baskets – we have been reusing the same baskets each year. But, you can get baskets from thrift stores, craft stores, or other local store.
- Potting soil – local garden center
- Mason jar and cheesecloth or newspaper
- Liner, bag or wax paper for basket
- Wheat berries – local grocery store or Amazon
- Spray water bottle
Steps:
- Rinse wheatberry seeds.
- Fill mason jar with rinsed seeds and water to cover them, place cheesecloth or breathable fabric or newspaper on top.
- Place mason jar in dark cabinet overnight.
- Drain water in morning and add some water just to keep seeds wet. Rinse/drain a couple more times throughout first day.
- Leave overnight in mason jar and you should see small white sprouts popping from seeds.
- Once a good amount of sprouts are on most of the seeds in the jar, get ready to transfer to the soil.
- Line baskets with bag or wax paper liner.
- Add soil to fill basket, and then top with the soaked, sprouted wheatberries.
- Keep berries wet by spritzing them with water. It is important not to let berries dry out when they are just newly sprouted or they will not continue to grow.
- Move to a windowsill with indirect light.
- Continue to water berries, then you will start to see green sprouts rooting into soil.
- Water the grass every day.
- Within 4-7 days, you will have a full basket of short grass. In 7-14 days, you will have tall grass that you may even need to trim!
It is so fun and more sustainable to use real grass in baskets for spring parties or decorations.
Bonus: You can even use the wheatgrass in smoothies or juice.
Some potential benefits of consuming wheatgrass include:
- Rich in Nutrients: Wheatgrass is a rich source of vitamins A, C, and E, as well as iron, calcium, magnesium, and amino acids.
- Antioxidant Properties: Wheatgrass contains powerful antioxidants that help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. This may reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
- Boosts Immune System: The nutrients in wheatgrass can help strengthen the immune system, making it better able to fight off infections and diseases.
- Detoxifies the Body: Wheatgrass has detoxifying properties that help remove toxins and impurities from the body, which can improve overall health and reduce the risk of disease.
- Reduces Inflammation: Some studies suggest that wheatgrass may have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation in the body and alleviate symptoms of inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis.
- May Help Manage Blood Sugar: Some research suggests that consuming wheatgrass may help regulate blood sugar levels.
While wheatgrass has many potential benefits, it is important to note that more research is needed to fully understand its effects on human health. It is also important to speak with a healthcare professional before consuming wheatgrass, especially if you have any underlying medical conditions or are taking any medications.