If you want to grow your own Cat Grass it can be a fun and exciting project. We love what we do, so we can understand why you would want to try it too. You may even think it is easier, cheaper and quicker to grow your own cat grass. Unfortunately there are many pits falls to avoid. We wanted to share them with you here so you can decide if growing your own cat grass is right for you.
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Soil – Fluff up the compost and make a flat, even layer. Make sure not to compact the compost.
Soak – Open the seed packet and soak the seeds in water overnight.
Sprinkle – Sprinkle the seeds on top of the compost. Cat Grass seeds take between 4 – 5 days to germinate depending upon the season. Catnip and dandelion seeds germinate after 21 days.
Spray – Spray twice daily, using a spray trigger bottle at the base of the grass and mist the leaves.
Serve – Your Cat Grass is ready to serve to your cat once it’s tall.
Obviously we would prefer you to subscribe to My Cat Grass READY GROWN CAT GRASS and there are many good reasons for this other than buying a subscription from us. Growing your own cat grass can be hazardous for you and your cat’s health. We really don’t want that!. With this in mind we have put together a quick guide on the differences between eBay type grow your own and My Cat Grass – Ready Grown, Grow Your Own Kits and My Cat Grass – Seed Pouches. We hope it helps you make the right decision for you, and your cat.
When looking for seeds to grow your own cat grass you will probably come across one of the many online re sellers. Ebay is flooded with them. They buy seeds and repackage them into smaller quantities and sell at inflated prices. You can often identify these sellers by the fact they offer multiple weights starting as low as 10gm up to 10Kg. You may not know whether they are this years seeds, last years seeds or even older. As such you will have no guarantee whether they are viable -will grow – or not. There is no guarantee what you are getting is 100% cat grass seed or whether it is organic – even if the advertising claims it is!
When looking for seeds to grow your own cat grass you will probably come across one of the many online re sellers. Ebay is flooded with them. They buy seeds and repackage them into smaller quantities and sell at inflated prices. You can often identify these sellers by the fact they offer multiple weights starting as low as 10gm up to 10Kg. You may not know whether they are this years seeds, last years seeds or even older. As such you will have no guarantee whether they are viable -will grow – or not. There is no guarantee what you are getting is 100% cat grass seed or whether it is organic – even if the advertising claims it is!
To protect the reputation of their seller status, sellers will often bleach or chlorinate seeds. This is a common and accepted practice in the United States of America to resolve mould growth issues. This practice is becoming common with Ebay re-sellers in the UK. However this is not acceptable for seed to be grown for Cat Grass, regardless of washing practices.
Your seeds should have colour as in our seed picture and not look dull or grey – this is a sign of old, non viable seeds.
We highly recommend you source your seed from a reputable feed, fodder or seed wholesaler. You are looking for Wheat Grass seeds; latin name: Triticum, aestivum. Oat Grass; latine name: Avena Sativa. Barley Grass; Latin name: Hordeum Vulgare. or Cocksfoot; Latin Name: Dactylis Glomerata (not recommended for indoor growing).
Vermiculite: Common in many Grow Your Own Cat Grass Kits, Vermiculite is the name of a group of hydrated laminar minerals (aluminum-iron magnesium silicates) which look like mica. Today, most vermiculite is safe. However, that is not to say it cannot contain asbestos. Vermiculite is one of the few retention products to contain asbestos surprisingly NOT banned following the 1970’s controversy surrounding asbestos.
Vermiculite: Common in many Grow Your Own Cat Grass Kits, Vermiculite is the name of a group of hydrated laminar minerals (aluminum-iron magnesium silicates) which look like mica. Today, most vermiculite is safe. However, that is not to say it cannot contain asbestos. Vermiculite is one of the few retention products to contain asbestos surprisingly NOT banned following the 1970’s controversy surrounding asbestos. Vermiculite is manufactured in various sizes, the smallest of which is used in grow your own cat grass kits. The size of the vermiculite in such kits is hazardous to your cats respiratory system. Should your cat dig and then lick their paws or breathe the dust this could have serious health risks. Read this article for more information. Vermiculite has no nutritional value for the germinating seed. When the cat grass seed has used all the energy stored in the seed for germination it is not receiving any nutrition through the vermiculite. With out nutrition the grass is starting to die. Not a fresh and healthy product to be feeding to your cat!
Coir: Some internet grow your own cat grass kits (and more recently in shops in the UK) contain Coir. Coir is a natural fiber extract from coconut husk. Coir has many applications being used in products such as floor mats, doormats, brushes and mattresses. It is also used for gardening as an alternative to peat moss. It’s Peat Moss like properties makes it a poor growing medium for wheat grass as the high level of water retention prevents growth and promotes mould. Coir has no nutritional value for the germinating seed. When the seed has used all its stored energy it is not receiving any nutrition through the Coir. Without nutrition the grass is starting to die and it has only just grown. Not a grass you would want to be feeding your cat!
Soil is by far the best medium for growing any variety of grass. It’s where Wheat Grass, Cocks Foot, Barley Grass and Oat Grass all grow naturally. It’s what nature intended. Unlike Vermiculite, Coir, or no growing medium (trayed seeds), soil provides the cat grass seed with the nutrients and stability it requires post germination. Once all the energy stored in the seed to grow leaves and roots is spent, the seed uses the roots in the soil to absorb water and nutrients. Using soil as a growing medium means your cat grass will contain all the minerals and nutrients we are looking for, and as a result last much longer as it is still growing and being fed. Soil also has other benefits to growing your own cat grass; naturally preventing mould and ensuring root and leaf separation to permit ventilation.
Discover more about our compost and how it can benefit your Cat Grass.
You won’t need empty toilet rolls and sticky back plastic to grow your own cat grass, but you will need to think about where you can get cheap supplies. There are a few items on the equipment list we have provided and this is a basic list of what you will need, especially if growing in winter. If you just want to give it a go as a one off you won’t need all the items listed and we recommend you just buy your seeds and soil and use what you have around the house for other items if needed.
DIY stores and budget retailers like Poundland, B&M Bargains, Pound Stretcher and Wilkos etc all have good deals on items that can be swapped out for items on the list.
Be aware that growing your own cat grass can take time to get right. Cat Grass (wheat grass) is especially sensitive to the amount and frequency of water, a constant temperature of between 17.77C and 19.44C and needs plenty of indirect sunlight which can be hard with UK winters.
