Barley Grass Seeds

Barley grass seeds are grown indoors for many uses.

Barley grass seeds -- usually grown outdoors as crops for cereal, livestock fodder and beer brewing ingredients -- have become popular as an indoor crop. Barley grass seed is fairly easy to grow and provides many uses.

Description

Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is a cool-season annual grass that is drought tolerant. It is capable of adapting to a variety of soil and environmental conditions. Barley grass grows to a height of 2 feet.

Growing

Barley grass seeds can be started in the spring outdoors and will be ready to harvest in the late summer. Grown indoors, seeds should be soaked for eight to 12 hours in water that is 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Drain and rinse. Place the seeds in a growing tray and cover with 1 inch of potting soil. Cover with paper towels and keep moist until the seeds sprout. Once the seedlings are 1/2 inch in height, remove the paper towels. Water as needed as the seedlings grow.

Uses

Barley grass can be consumed for its nutritional and antibiotic effects in salads or shakes. It is also a popular grass for consumption by house cats to aid digestion.

References

• Health Banquet; Growing Wheatgrass at Home or Barley Grass
• Weil: Barley Grass
• Sprout People: Growing Barley Grass
• Purdue University; Hordeum Vulgare; James A. Duke; 1983
• Granite Seed: Hordeum Vulgare