Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I buy wheatgrass and other sprouts from Hippocrates?
A: Currently wheatgrass is the only sprout available for purchase at our location in West Palm Beach, Florida; we must have a 24-hour advance notice. In the future, we intend to ship grass and other greens across the US via next day air, right to your front door.
Q: How long will wheatgrass last in the fridge after it is harvested?
A: Typically a week to 10 days in an 'Evert Fresh' bag (now sold in the Hippocrates store), sometimes longer. Older refrigerators can develop mold spores in them, in which case grass lasts about 7 to 10 days. Fresh wheatgrass can last 2 or 3 weeks in a new fridge in an Evert Fresh bag. Grass will last longer in a cooler fridge than a warmer one.
Q: After I juice the grass, how long will the juice last?
A: Drink the juice within the first few minutes for max benefits. More than two hours, start again. It does not store in the fridge as juice .
Q: Are the powdered or frozen grasses any good?
A: Powdered is better than frozen, but both are just alternatives and there is no substitute for fresh wheatgrass juice. Powder is a good alternative when traveling.
Q: What variety of seeds do I use for growing wheatgrass, sunflower greens, buckwheat lettuce, and pea greens?
A: For
- wheatgrass– hard winter wheat
- sunflower greens– black oil sunflower (wild bird feed black oil sunflower seed works great!)
- buckwheat lettuce– whole buckwheat with the hulls (buckwheat groats, etc. won't work)
- pea greens– snow peas or peas for "shoots."
Q: How long do you soak the seeds before sprouting?
A: Eight to twelve hours, or overnight.
Q: How much seed do I use per tray?
A: Depending on the size of the tray, the seed amount will vary. Just cover the soil completely with seed. This will look like too much seed, but the wheat will grow fine. In the summer, you may plant a bit less to allow for more air movement through your wheatgrass. In our large planting trays (17" x 17"), approx. one pound of seed per tray (yields 18-20 ounces of juice), and our small planting trays (10" x 10"), approx. one half pound of seed per tray (yields 8-10 ounces of juice).
Q: How much light do I need to grow greens and wheatgrass?
A: Always in the shade, never direct sunlight for any greens. If you need light in a basement where there are no windows, then use full spectrum lighting. www.ottlite.com
Q: What is the ideal growing temperature?
A: 68-78° F (20-25° Celsius) is ideal. Always keep it above 50° F (10 C) and if it is 80° F (26° C) or above, increase air circulation to prevent mold. Your sprouts / grass will grow slower in the cold and faster in warmer weather.
Q: What kind of soil do I use?
A: Any basic potting mix or topsoil mixed with peat moss will work fine. Visit www.hippocratesgreenhouse.com for details on soil and why it is used vs hydroponic wheatgrass.
Q: How often do I need to water?
A: Always water heavily, once a day, and keep the soil well drained. The first 3 days water twice a day (heavily in the AM and mist seeds in the PM) and keep seeds covered. Water is very important; seeds must not ever dry-out. Any water will work fine. Filtered with a carbon unit is a better choice water.
Q: When do I harvest my greens? (How long does it take?)
A: For
- wheatgrass– when a second blade branching from the stalks is visible , don't over grow your grass as taste will change.
- sunflower greens– when a second set of leaves starts to grow between the first set
- buckwheat lettuce– approximately 10-12 days
- pea greens– approximately 10-12 days.
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