In this post we look at the how you can grow your own cat grass – Wheat.  Whether growing Wheat grass, Barley or Oat Grass our growing instructions, top tips and trouble shooting will ensure you always get the best cat grass from your My Cat Grass – Grow Your Own Kit.

Cat Grass needs four key elements to grow successfully which are easy to provide once you understand what grasses generally need to grow. These are Watering, Temperature, Sunlight and Ventilation. We will go through each of the elements and offer advice on what you need to consider and offer our top tips and trouble shooting advice we have learnt over the years.

If you are growing from one of our range of Premium Seed Pouches then you will also need to consider which growing medium you are going to use. a full section on this topic can be found in our general grow your own guide here: GROWING MEDIUM ADVICE

If you are using a My Cat Grass Grow Your Own Kit you already have Vegan Friendly & Soil Association approved, Organic Certified soil in your growing kit giving you the best start.

Growing your My Cat Grass Grow Your Own Cat Grass Kit:

  1. Remove the lid from the My Cat Grass Kit and place under the tub
  2. Open the seed pouch being careful not to spill the seeds!
  3. Soak the seeds in a cup of cold, fresh water overnight
  4. Drain the seeds and rinse with fresh cold water
  5. Sprinkle the soaked seeds over the top of the soil
  6. Water the seeds using a spray bottle, twice a day – morning and night is best
  7. Keep at room temperature 16c is best:
    • In summer place in a room with plenty of indirect sunlight
    • In winter place on a window cill with plenty of direct sunlight
  8. Continue to water the cat grass, at the roots, with a spray bottle throughout its life, morning and night
  9. Your cat grass is ready to give to your cat when the leaves reach 3-4″ in height
  10. Spray the leaves of the cat grass to aid your cats water intake as it chews on the grass

Grow Your Own Cat Grass Instructions – Wheat – Top Tips

Water

Water is the key to the success of growing your own cat grass. Over-water and your cat grass is prone to mould, slow growth and shallow roots. Not enough water and your cat grass will wilt, turn yellow and die off. Don’t worry though, we  share our fool proof method to ensure you grow perfect cat grass every time.

  • For perfect results always follow steps A then B
  • Use a spray bottle with an adjustable nozzle
  • Never use a watering can or jug – this will cause you to over water
  • Spray the soil to be keep it moist and do this twice day 12 hours apart if possible – little and often is always best
  • When shoots appear, water your cat grass at the base of the shoots
  • Keep on watering at the base of the leaves throughout the life of the cat grass
  • When leaves are fully developed you can ALSO
    • Spray the leaves using the fine spray setting on your water bottle’s nozzle
    • This will encourage your cat to chew on the cat grass and
    • Aids with your cats water intake

If mould appears at the base of the leaves, start using the fine jet spray on your nozzle and using cold water aim at the mould. This push the mould back and cool down the area affected. This should stop or at least slow down the growth of mould by cooling down those areas affected.

Temperature

The next important factor when growing cat grass is a consistent temperature that your cat grass loves. To be precise the ideal temperature your cat grass loves whether it be Barley, Wheat or Oat is between 17.77C and 19.44 degrees Celsius. or 64 to 67 Fahrenheit. However anywhere between 15C and 19C is a good start. It is hard in winter to keep your grass warm enough and in summer to keep your grass cool. But don’t worry as we’ll share our top tips for keeping your cat grass at just the right temperature.

  • Don’t place the Grow kits on a radiator! The pots are PBA free, Grade 5 plastic which can be placed in a microwave but they are not designed to be put on a direct heat source.
  • When you first place your seed in your pots you can keep them in the airing cupboard for the first 24 hours or until the seeds sprout. After they have sprouted, they will need sunlight.
  • Use cool water rather than cold or warm water to help the seeds germinate
  • Fill up your spray bottle with cool water after each watering. This means next time you water your grass you will spray it with water at room temperature and not cold water from your tap
  • Place your Cat Grass away from cold or harsh drafts. Cat grass needs ventilation when it is growing but it does not like blasts of cold or hot air so keep away from the front or back door and off the floor if possible.
  • Before putting your cat grass somewhere to grow try putting your hand  there and see if it’s cold to touch. If the area is cold to touch it’s probably too cold for your cat grass to grow.
  • Remember warm air rises so warm areas in your house are likely to be higher – these places are also more likely to be out of you cats way whilst you are growing the cat grass. Think top of cabinets, but be careful to ensure there is enough sunlight and you don’t forget to water the grass

Sunshine

As soon as your seeds start to germinate they are sending up shoots looking for sunlight which they can use to photosynthesis which helps feed their growth. When a seed has germiated (sprouted) is has epxended all the energy stored in the seed for it’s start to life. The grass now needs to produce sugars through the process of photosynthesis whcih feed the grass – No sunlight, no growth and your grass will start to wilt and die. There are some simple steps to follow to ensure you get the best growth and healthy start to for your cat grass

You can leave the seeds in darkness until they start to sproiut

Once the seeds have started sprouting usually 24-48 hours after you have finished the rinsing process your seeds must have sunlight

You can tell your seeds have sprouted as they will have growth at both ends of the seed or with Grow Your Own kits you will see the shoots coming through the soil

Cat Grass loves sunlight but direct sunlight is not always the best. Make sure you cat grass has plenty of indirect sunlight

Remember to water for longer (with your spray bottle) in the summer months so your cat grass doesn’t dry out in the sunlight

Ventilation

Ventilation is the last of the four key elements to successful cat grass growing regardless of variety (Wheat, Barley or Oat). Too little space between the plants and as your cat grass grows it will let off heat promoting the growth of mould. Too much ventilation like a blast of hot or cold air from your front or backdoor and your cat grass will either stop growing or wilt. Again there is no need to worry if you follow our top trouble shooting tips when thinking about ventilation for your cat grass.

  • Think abut where you are going to place your cat grass keep away from hot or cold drafts such as windows or doors
  • Try and keep your cat grass off the floor – Your cat grass needs warmth to grow and as heat rises think about where in your house – vertically – your cat grass will grow best
  • A slow breeze is best for your cat grass
  • Think about investing in a My Cat Grass – Cat Grass Station the practical and modern storage solution for your cat grass

My Cat Grass Stations ca be ordered here : MY CAT GRASS STATION