How to grow cat grass in 6 steps

If you have a cat and have not grown cat grass before, your feline friend is seriously missing out, not only does it help them cough up fluff balls but it also keeps them entertained rolling around and chewing it.

Our cat Daisy (she’s a tiny thing even though she nearly 9) absolutely loves the stuff so I try and keep it around all year round, indoors over winter and then outdoors over summer. This always helps take her mind off taking a liking to the other plants in my garden.

Now the good thing about cat grass, which is usually just oats or wheat seed, is its very easy to grow and germinates quickly and grows fast, it also great for keeping the kids entertained planting new batches, my youngest loves to get involved.

Where to plant cat grass

In winter you can only really grow cat grass indoors as its needs warm temperatures to germinate but once the risk of frost has passed (usually May onwards) and the weather warms up a little, you have no problems growing it outdoors too.

In my example below, I have chosen to grow it outdoors in a mini greenhouse (unheated) to get it started and then later moving it outside for it to grow on and the cat to enjoy. You can do the same indoors by placing it on a warm windowsill but the process is the same, just indoors.

What you need

• Cat grass seed – usually available online, local garden centres, pet shops.
• Small bowl or pot to plant in.
• Compost, preferably organic since the cats will be eating it.
• Plastic sheeting or clear bag to cover the pot.

How to plant cat grass

Step 1

If you are planting in a pot for outdoors, ensure the pot has holes in it and that you place some crockery in the bottom to help stop the holes from becoming clogged up.

Fill a small pot or bowl with compost, it’s best to use organic compost since your cat may be digging in. I have chosen a small terracotta pot but any pot will do. You want to fill the pot to around one to two inches from the top of the pot.

Step 3

Now spread the cat grass seed over the compost evenly as shown below.

Step 3

Now cover the seed with a later of compost approximate one inch deep, you cant to have about an inch above the compost so that the water does not run over the edge when watering. This is why we filled the compost to two inches below the top of the pot.

Step 4

Water the cat grass seeds with a watering can with a fine hose so as not to disturb the soil until the compost is nice and moist. If you don’t have a watering can and use a jug, slowly pour the water as you can wash the soil and seeds to one side of the pot which is why I recommend using a watering can.

Step 5

Now place the pot inside a mini greenhouse if you have one and cover it with a clear piece of plastic sheet or a clear plastic bag.

If you don’t have a greenhouse, you can just place the pot in your garden with the plastic cover on, you may need to use an elastic band or piece of string to hold it in place.

This will help retain the moisture while the seeds germinate. If you grow them indoors, simply place on a warm windowsill and cover.

Step 6

After around 7 days, the seeds should germinate and once about an inch tall, you can remove the plastic sheet or bag. Don’t allow the soil to totally dry out but be careful not to overwater. It’s not quite ready for your cats just yet but it won’t take too long. Once it’s around four to six inches tall. Then it’s ready for them to have a chew at.

I recommend giving it a cut back if it gets to long to encourage fresh grass.

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Last update on 2024-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API