Our Learning Garden - Grade 10, 11 & 12 Gide to growing Wheatgrass & Sunflower Greens

• Self directed learning for Grade 10, 11 & 12• All lesson plans and related files for download - ourlearninggarden.ca

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Growing Wheatgrass

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Growing Wheatgrass

• Grow Wheatgrass• Lets review the nutritional benefits of

wheatgrass and try juicing (eating) some • Your teeth are great juicers, chew up the

wheatgrass and spit out the pulp if you do not have a juicer

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Instructions for Growing Wheatgrass

•Soak the seeds (3/4 cup per tray) in tepid water for 48-72 hours, •Rinse every 24hours if possible and put fresh water in the container you are soaking the seeds in•When the seeds are just starting to sprout (see white end protruding) you can plant them•Spread the soil out evenly in the tray •. Mix one teaspoon of fertilizer with 350 ml of water•Water the soil evenly with about 350 ml of fertilizer water mixture

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•Remove the seeds from water, rinse, strain and spread out evenly on top of the soil• Spread soil on top of the seeds so that all seeds are completely covered with soil.• Optional-Cover the trays with the lids or green garbage bag for 2-3 days until the grass has sprouted –around 2 -4 centimeters. Speeds up the growth cycle covering the trays

•When the seeds in soil have sprouted 2-4 cm you can water them before placing under the grow lights Place the tray about 40 -50 centimeters from the fluorescent lights or natural window light• You will need to water the wheatgrass every 2nd or 3rdday; depending on the humidity. Keep it slightly damp.

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• Look at how quickly the root system has developed.

• Examine the root system on the 4th or 5th day when the sprouts /blades have emerged from the soil.

• Try lifting the wheatgrass out of the tray and examine how the roots are holding together the soil.

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• After you harvest the grass remove the block of soil from the tray. Try tearing it apart and see how strong the root structure is

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Overview of Wheatgrass• Wheatgrass is a food prepared from the cotyledons

of the common wheat plant, Triticum aestivum• It provides chlorophyll, amino acids, minerals,

vitamins, and enzymes. Claims about the health benefits of wheatgrass range from providing supplemental nutrition to having unique curative properties. Some consumers grow and juice wheatgrass in their homes. It is often available in juice bars, alone or in mixed fruit or vegetable drinks. Wheatgrass contains no wheat gluten.

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http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/custom/900675/2

Nutritional ComparisonTable 1. Nutrient comparison of 1 oz (28.35 g) of wheatgrass juice, broccoli and spinach.

Nutrient Wheatgrass Juice Broccoli Spinach

Protein 860 mg 800 mg 810 mg

Beta-carotene 120 IU 177 IU 2658 IU

Vitamin E 880 mcg 220 mcg 580 mcg

Vitamin C 1 mg 25.3 mg 8 mg

Vitamin B12 0.30 mcg 0 mcg 0 mcg

Phosphorus 21 mg 19 mg 14 mg

Magnesium 8 mg 6 mg 22 mg

Calcium 7.2 mg 13 mg 28 mg

Iron 0.66 mg 0.21 mg 0.77 mg

Potassium 42 mg 90 mg 158 mg

Data on broccoli and spinach from USDA database.[4] Data on Wheatgrass juice from indoor grown wheatgrass.[2]

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Growing Sunflower Greens

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Sprouted sunflower seeds produce impressive nutritional data. Imagine, a little sprouted sunflower seed contains enough nutrients to start a whole new plant growing, one that can reach 6- to 12-foot (1.8 to 3.7 m) heights. In the germination process, all nutrients, including enzymes and trace minerals, multiply 300 to 1200%. One of the richest sources of protein, 3 1/2 ounces (100 grams) of sprouted sunflower seeds contains 22.78 grams. The mineral content soars in the sprouted state. That 3 1/2 ounces (100 grams) offers a notable 116 mg of calcium, 5.06 mg of zinc, 689 mg of potassium, 1.75 mg copper, and 354 mg of magnesium. Vitamins increase during sprouting when the seeds are producing a new life. Vitamin A increases to 50,000 IU, and Vitamin E offers 52.18 mg, while Vitamin D provides 92.0 IU for 3 1/2 ounces (100 grams). The Vitamin B family offers niacin at 4.50 mg, riboflavin at 0.25 mg, and thiamin at 2.29 mg. Sprouted sunflower seeds are also a rich source of iron, providing 6.77 mg for 31/2 ounces (100 grams) that can be a benefit to people with anemia. Mature sprouted sunflower seeds are a rich source of chlorophyll noted for cleansing or detoxifying the liver and the blood. Chlorophyll benefits many functions within the body including building blood supply, revitalizing tissue, calming inflammation, activating enzymes, and deodorizing the body. Most commercial breath fresheners contain chlorophyll.

Nutrition

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Lettuce is a leaf as well as Sunflower Greens

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Try eating some plain, in soup or on a sandwich.REMEMBER TO RINSE THEM!Sunflower Greens taste great and are very healthy!

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Sunflower GreensThey are rich in chlorophyll, enzymes, vitamins, and proteins. The greens are a rich source of lecithin and Vitamin D. They are 25% percent protein by weight.

TASTE GREAT AND ARE HEALTHY!Put them on sandwiches, salads or in soup.Eat them anyway you want to..

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Instructions for Growing Sunflower Greens

1) Soak the seeds in cool water for 12-24 hours. .2) Rinse the seeds before planting

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Instructions for Growing Sunflower Greens

3) Put the soil into the tray, water with 350 ml of water (mix 1 teaspoon of fertilizer with 350 ml of water )

4) Remove the seeds from water, rinse / strain and spread out evenly on top of the soil.5) Gently/lightly press the seeds into the soil.6) Spread the soil on top of the seeds, so that the seeds are completely covered around 2cn of soil.7) Lightly water the tray8) Place the tray about 40 -50 centimeters from the fluorescent lights or grow lights. (in 3-4 days the sunflowers will start to emerge and will be ready to eat in about 7 -10 days, they will have 2 leaves. Continue to next slide

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Instructions for Growing Sunflower Greens

9) Continue to water to keep soil moistWhen the sunflowers emerge about 6 (tall-they will have two leaves, cut them and rinse. Eat the stems as well, great in salads or garnish on sandwiches

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Sunflower Greens are healthy living food They are delicious, nutritious and they make for a beautiful presentation.Many famous chefs and restaurants incorporate them into their menu

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