Observations on my first few trays

I've noticed that I CAN get a second growth of wheatgrass after cutting, as suggested by Wigmore. However, there is a big difference in the grass. The first cutting derives much of its nutrients from the grain itself, while the second cutting derives all of its nutrients from the soil, because the grain has been consumed. Therefore the second cutting is much less sweet, much more like "lawn grass". Not so good.

I am having to cover my seeds with some soil when planting. Why? Our house seems to be infested with these really tiny fruit flies. I assume they are fruit flies because they always go after any fruit we have that starts going bad. They also go after the wheat berries, therefore I must keep those jars covered with a breathable lid that keeps them out. And when planting, I must cover the berries for the same reason -- the darned flies. A thin layer of dirt keeps the flies off. The dirt goes on dry, powdery, then I squirt it with a fine mist from a squirt bottle to dampen it.

There is a commercial operation in town that sells trays of grass to the health food stores. The stores charge $15 for a 10x20 tray, so I don't feel so bad about the work I put into growing my own. The trays in the store use some sort of dirt -- potting soil of some type, about 1.5 inches deep. The seeds are laid on top of the soil without any cover. So this commercial operation is apparently successful at growing the grass without covering the seeds. It must save time. I guess they don't have a fruit fly problem.

You need to purchase a strong fan(turbo) for some added ventalation. This will irritate the "nats" that are bothering you....and they will leave so to speak. If you are using REAL sprouting seeds you need not cover then with anything. I am a commercial grower in Orlando, Florida...this is our 9th year! We use Hard Red Spring Wheat....less yeild but much better taste. What is your water sourse. Some wells have bactierial iron that may help to attrach the nats (bugs). Also it sound like you may be oversoaking your berries(seeds). Oversoaking may cause an aroma that attracks the bugs. I grow over 200 pounds of beries a week...If you are located in Florida and would like to visit...call me at 407 797 6067 my cell phone....and we can set a date for your visit. I will be glad to show you EVERYTHING we do. You may see some of our pictures here in the wheatgrass gallery.

Hello jim sorry to here about your infestation of mold gnats.I have experianced there infestation first hand.There lifespan is short so getting the upperhand will require some tools.Yellow sticky insect traps do the job really well.Go to gardensalive.com, click on insect control,go to page 2.This will give you an idea of what tools you need to win the battle for air superiority.These tools took care of my gnat problems.The gnats are no threat to your seed.But I imagine your wife isnt to thrilled about them.And on the issue of second cutting most people dont due to taste and quality of juice.And you got it right on the seed being spent,as far as the endosperm is concerned.Once this supply is used up the plant must uptake all its needs through the roots.Tray grown grass is extremely rootbound and unable to support long term growth.Time is important in maximizing the harvest potential of the grass.The growing medium is mainly for the sake of giving the grass a growth fondation.Sprouting for to long wastes presious time and energy of the seed.This time and energy will cost you juice yield in the end.If the seeds have roots in the sprouting jar then your wasting growing time and energy.Roots serve a purpous and thats to establish the plant in the growing medium.Not to do loops in a sprouting jar.And nodody grows in soil!Everyone that grows in trays uses soil augments.Such as peatmoss,composts,vermiculite,perlite and many othersubstances to nutrify the growing medium.There is no need to cover the seed with the growing medium your using.The only reason for covering would be to get a completly dark gowing condition.Most commecial growers have dark rooms.Good luck and happy growing!

In Florida? LOL -- no, I'm in Calgary Canada -- the antithesis of Florida. I'm not sure how these nats or fruitflies or whatever got into our house, but we sure have them!

I will try your suggestions for getting rid of them.

I am using "red winter wheat" for sprouting. The health food store has a sign on the wheat saying "suitable for wheatgrass". They don't have this sign on any of their other bulk wheats.

That store also sells 10x20 trays of grass for $15. As we go through about 20 trays a month, I guess I am saving a good $300 by growing my own!

The soil is very hard to get up here in the winter. Nobody gardens when it is 20 below zero outside. I have been using potting soil because its about the only thing I have been able to get my hands on.

You get plenty of sunshine....But it not as strong as you will need to make growing a piece of cake. I belive there is a Mr. Fox who grows for your area in a commercial way. He called and we spoke a few years ago. Check and see if there is a Fafard distributor near you....I have used their peat and perlite(pure, NO additives,by request) custom mix for the past 9 years. Also in Nova Scoia there is a kelp company (food grade sea kelp meal) the stuff is tremendous! I charge $17.95 for a 10 pound bag of my Hard Red Spring wheat Berries...certified organic....and produced for sprouting. Check out on your side of the border what it would be to ship UPS ground to32820 postal zip...The package should weigh about 13 pounds....yes I will throw in an extra pound for trying it. You may want to mix it with the winter wheat....I just love the taste when I compare the two. I will also put in a small bag of seal kep meal for you to try....what the heck we both go to Ewheatgrass.com!

Also if you go to Drelichwheatgrass.com Microsoft will tell you to be careful....MY SSL Certificate expired over 2 years ago! We let that happen because we have been selling out for the past two years....just about every week. We have added a few tables and the SSL Certificate should be up and running by next week....with the Thanksgiving holiday and all. Our 9th year!

Thanks for the offer, WheatEnergy, but shipping 10 pounds to Canda gets very expensive. It's "overseas" you know . Plus I'm not so sure that they would allow the shipping of wheat across the border due to agricultural rules and the like. I'd have to check on that.

Wonderful country is expense. And the process trys to exploit the most amount of money for the services provided to exchange across the borders...rediculous.


Everyone that voted in our last election is STILL waiting for GAS prices to go down.....along with FOOD >>>MEDICINE and what they call HEALTH care HERE in the States.

When I ship 7 bags to a fella in St. Thomas(U.S. Virgin Islands...the shipping (DHL Express overnight) costs him $250.oo + $88.oo for my insulated box ..12 pounds of ice packs....and the wheatgrass! But don't worry ...the man can afford it.

And in four months now has no more Prostate Cancer...GONE! He blames it on the fresh wheatgrass "DRILL" that he did.....8 ounces twice a day! YIKES!

Haven't been on in a few days. Thanks for all the good ideas and offers of help. By the way, I'm originally from Northern California. I hope to move back there. Unfortunately, I will suffer the opposite problem there -- 105 degree days quite regularly in the summer. So I may still need to grow the grass indoors. But I may be able to place the trays in windows more readily.

Yea, and you don't have to tell me the health care horrors of the US -- I know them firsthand, in spades. Canada has different health care horrors, but at least everybody gets covered, even if the coverage isn't the best at times.

I have put up MANY postings about growing. Look around and READ some of them on this forum. Then call me and we CAN do a one on one conversation...about big money business promoting freeze dried or frozen wheatgrass.....or perhaps give you some insite as to your growing methods. I do not not know the climent of the country where you live. Frank the wheatgrass guy...Orlando Florida. Drelich Premium Wheatgrass Nursery Our 9 th year! Cell phone is 407 797 6067.....anytime. Ann Wigmore DIED in a mysterious fire at her home in Boston,Mass.

The modern Doctors and ...Homeopathic holistic and alternative Doctors...BOTH..."PRACTICE" medicine. Difference I belive is that one side does understand Metabolics and Genetics MORE than the other....ALSO the IMPORTANCE of avoiding certain FOODS >>>>these days...Why does a NEW drugstore open in this country every 19 minutes?...Two and 1/2 miles away from another one?? Right by a supermarket that also has a drugstore inside??? Of course we are a DRUG FREE America. FRESH wheatgrass juice is NON-TOXIC>>100%.Removes toxins from the body...and builds up the blood.....Man made drugs have side effects,,,and create MORE problems....wonder why????? Eat well...Stay GREEN and be Healthy! God Bless