Wheatgrass kits are sold to consumers to grow their own wheatgrass in their homes or apartments. There has been a surge in the popularity of wheatgrass due to its purported health benefits, and many people drink a few ounces of juice every day. Wheatgrass is one of the easiest grasses to grow, but it does take some effort.
In most cases, wheatgrass is sold in health food stores and juice bars in its juiced form, but it can also be found powdered or in tablets. Proponents of wheatgrass believe it can improve the immune system, including prevent colds, diabetes and heart disease, cure coughs and fevers, improve the skin, digestive system and liver, and promote a feeling of well-being. It includes vitamins A, C, E and B12, along with calcium and iron, among others. Wheatgrass is not regulated by the FDA, so caution should be used when purchasing it.
Wheatgrass kits are sold in stores and online. They usually include seeds, growing trays, organic soil, some type of fertilizer, and an instructional booklet. After planting the seeds, wheatgrass could be growing and available for harvesting and juicing after as little as ten days.
Many people prefer the taste of wheatgrass over other similar grasses, such as barley grass. In comparison, wheatgrass is said to be sweeter and easier to drink. Some also enjoy growing their own wheatgrass, and end up saving money. Most wheatgrass kits can be used repeatedly and will produce a sizable amount of available grass. The grower will need to determine if growing her own wheatgrass will save money — most people drink 1 or 2 ounces (29.5 to 59 ml) of the juice at a time, and a tray of wheatgrass will generally produce 6 to 8 ounces (177.4 to 236.5 ml) of juice.
Wheatgrass kits are available in various sizes, but will generally specify how much juice can be expected from a full crop. Starter kits usually include about 5 pounds (2.26 kg) of seed. The price of a kit varies depending on the extras included and whether the seed and soil are organic. More expensive, multi-tiered wheatgrass kits are also sold.
The instructions that come with wheatgrass kits should always be followed, but as a general rule, wheatgrass should be harvested when it is about 8 inches (20 cm) tall. A juicer is also required to produce the juice; some say that a specific wheatgrass juicer is required, while others say that a traditional manual juicer or one with a low speed option will work just as well. A blender should not be used. Most people suggest drinking the wheatgrass juice within 30 minutes of juicing, because it will quickly begin to go bad.