AT:SF,
This might not be a good question, it might be stupid; I tried to grow my own grass in a nice pot in my house, I love the way it looks in a white cube shaped pot but it always dies right away, it grows too long, then it dies, I tried trimming it but then it just turned yellow. is there a secret to indoor grass growing?
-Laura
If you buy a kit, such as the Grass Garden by Metaphys we posted about a couple of weeks ago, the spongy growing media and seeds are all included.
But cheers to you for going it on your own. Lawn grass is made to be stepped on and withstand dry or irregular watering conditions, neither of which apply for home display. If you look at a lawn up close, the grass blades aren't that close together, especially if you think of isolating a smaller square of it.
One secret is to use oats or winter rye instead of grass seeds for a thick, lush pad of "grass" that germinates much quicker (since each blade doesn't have to be as thick). Also, Treehugger recommends this book for practical advice and inspiration.
Anyone else have wisdom for Laura?
Image: Grass Garden by Metaphys
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I, too, love the look of a pot of grass in the house. Here in Provence there is a December custom (Ste. Barbe's Day) in which wheat is planted on wet cotton in small dishes. It is planted in early December for a beautiful green and lush result to decorate the creche for Noël. Mine had a good start, but peaked before the holiday for which it is planted.
http://lafourchette.blogspot.com/2007/12/saint-barbe-day-2007.html I've been in some homes of French friends who have the knack for the proper moisture for a really lovely spread. One must be able to cultivate these grains on a bit of potting soil, non? Small bags of wheat are sold here in the marchés and on the little streets during December. Not sure about where to go in the US for the stuff but it must be available. Just a thought.
Leslie, Aix en Provence, France
http://lafourchette.blogspot.com
view lafourchette's profile
Get a cat to keep it trimmed for you.
view denverdigs's profile
I grow wheatgrass for my cats, and I've found it pretty easy despite my black thumb. I put some potting soil in an ikea tumbler glass, put a layer of wheatgrass seeds, and then a light layer if soil over the seeds. I then water and place in my kitchen windows. Within a few days, I have a glass full of thick, full, green grass. This works even during a New York winter--in the summer, the grass grows a little faster.
view deneph's profile
What kinda grass are you growing?? Wheat grass is easy but it's grown to be cut and used so it will die if not used. And if you are not going to juice it, I don't recommend growing it.
view orangejuce's profile
I grow cat grass, too. It's just as easy as deneph says. But, if you do have cats, make sure that the container is somewhat heavy! My cats like to headbutt the grass and if it's not, they knock it over.
view krisnic's profile
Looks like wheat grass is the way to go! Like Deneph, I have a black thumb, but I grow w.g. for my dog. (I don't juice it, but I do cut it regularly and put it in her food.) If you elect to grow it and don't use it yourself, odds are you know someone who will use it. (It's good for pets, especially those with easily upset tummies, to have from time to time.)
view MadHatter's profile