When to harvest wheatgrass has become a common question for most gardeners. With most varieties of wheatgrass only being eaten within three months of being planted it is easy to see why harvesting them prematurely would be detrimental to plant health. Harvesting before the plant health is fully developed, can actually cause the plant to wilt or even die. It is better to harvest wheatgrass when the green sprouts are fully developed.
Why should you wait to harvest wheatgrass? The plant health will improve drastically once harvested. The microgreens have high amounts of chlorophyll and tryptophan, which play a vital role in maintaining plant health. Harvesting just before the sprouts have opened up provides the most nutrition giving microgreens.
Harvesting at different times will also affect how much of the microgreens are picked up by the plants. Harvesting too early will leave little or no microgreens to be harvested. On the other hand, harvesting too late will result in nothing but dried roots. Harvesting in the middle of the growing season ensures that as the plants develop they will be producing more microgreens.
When to harvest can also affect how much you will need to use. When growing microgreens you will want to ensure you have plenty of sprouts. If you do not have enough sprouts to maintain a proper diet then the plant will require extra help from you. Providing your plants with extra nitrogen, sulfur and potassium can ensure the growth of healthy microgreens.
Another important factor when to harvest wheatgrass microgreens is the quality of the soil. When you plant the seeds and wait for them to germinate then you create a perfect medium for plant health. Once the seeds have germinated then you must switch the medium to a non-saline or acidic soil.
Choosing the right type of micro green seed is important when you are planting a crop. Some microgreens have better crop yield than others. Some microgreens are better for alternative uses such as a natural fertilizer. Choose your microgreen based on your crop needs then check the USDA Plant Health Service website for advice on the type of microgreens that would be best suited for your crop.
When to harvest wheatgrass microgreens has a variety of factors that will affect how you should harvest it. Harvesting when the microgreens are in the best condition is important for ensuring good crop production. Harvesting later than recommended can reduce the quality of your microgreens resulting in fewer usable leaves and much less overall chlorophyll. This can reduce your chances of having healthy plants when you next try to harvest.
Harvesting when to harvest wheatgrass microgreens has more to do with the condition of the growing medium rather than the amount of chlorophyll present. The conditions of the growing medium are important factors when to harvest wheatgrass. When you find a microgreen that has a high level of chlorophyll it is better harvested at the end of its growing cycle.
Harvesting before the green sprouts appear is another option. Harvesting when the microgreens are appearing shows that the microgreen was not ready for planting when the green sprouts appear. Harvesting on the first sprout of new growth shows the best quality microgreens. Harvesting in late summer or fall will usually give you the highest quality microgreens.
When to harvest wheatgrass microgreens is important for two reasons. Harvesting when the microgreens are in the best condition and when to harvest at the peak of growth. When the microgreens are in their best condition, you are more likely to get healthy blooms from your microgreen. When to harvest at the peak of growth helps ensure that you get the most quality crops from each spike in productivity.
When to harvest wheatgrass is important because there is a right way to harvest each spike. You can choose when to harvest by hand, using a pick or using a harvester. Hand harvesting requires a little effort but provides fresher microgreens. A good harvester removes the leaves while releasing the juice that can be harvested with a fork. Harvesting using a pick is very effective because it takes less effort but produces larger blooms. Harvesting using a hand or a fork should be done when the microgreens are soft and can be easily pulled out by hand.
Other tips to help in the harvesting of microgreens include ensuring that the area being harvested is free of weeds. It is important, when to harvest wheatgrass to make sure that it is free from weeds because the microgreens will not bloom properly without the necessary nutrients and sunshine. When to harvest also depends on the size of the growing area. Small growing areas may require that you harvest more often compared to large growing areas.