How to Grow & Process Barley Grass

Barley grass is loaded with nutrients.

Barley grass is a grain plant that has risen in popularity in recent years due to its numerous reported health benefits. Containing essential nutrients such as vitamins A, B, C, E and K, as well as phosphorus, calcium, iron, chlorophyll, pantothenic acid, potassium, magnesium, lecithin and amino acids, barley grass packs a powerfully nutritious punch. While you can spend a fortune buying barley grass juice shakes and smoothies from health food stores and specialty smoothie shops, you can grow your own barley grass at home for very little cost.

Things You'll Need

• 1 packet barley grass seedsrnBowlrnColanderrnPotting soilrnPeat mossrnPerliternPlanting trayrnWatering canrnKitchen scissorsrnElectric juicer

Instructions

1. Combine one packet of barley grass seeds with 3 cups of cool water in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Soak the barley seeds in the cool water for eight to 12 hours.

2. Drain the water from the bowl and rinse the barley grass seeds in a colander under cool running water. Return the seeds to the bowl and add 3 cups of fresh, cool water.

3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 four times before proceeding to Step 4.

4. Blend together equal parts potting soil, peat moss and perlite to create a nutrient-rich, well-draining growing medium for your barley grass. Pour 2 inches of the growing medium into a planting tray that is 3 to 4 inches deep.

5. Sprinkle your sprouted barley grass seeds over the surface of the growing medium in the planting tray. Cover the seeds with no more than a 1/4 inch of peat moss.

6. Water your barley grass seeds lightly after sowing them to moisten their growing medium. Continue to water your barley grass as often as necessary to keep its growing medium consistently moist, but not soggy or waterlogged.

7. Place your tray of barley grass in a sunny windowsill where it can receive approximately six hours of bright, indirect sunlight per day.

8. Cut your barley grass with a pair of sharpened and sterilized kitchen scissors when it reaches 7 to 10 inches in height. Rinse the cut barley grass in a colander under cool running water.

9. Liquefy your cut and washed barley grass in an electric juicer. Drink the barley grass juice straight or add it to healthy shakes, smoothies and juice blends.

Tips & Warnings

• Barley grass can also be grown outdoors using the same cultivation requirements.

• Do not allow the roots of your barley grass to become waterlogged. Prolonged exposure to standing water can cause the roots of your barley grass to rot.

References

• Gardening Indoors; George F. Van Patten; 1995
• Sprout People: Barley Grass
• Sprout People: Growing Barley Grass
• Health Banquet: Growing Barley Grass at Home
• Oprah: Barley Grass

Resources

• Amazing Grass: Wheatgrass/Barley Grass FAQs