Best Practice For Growing Grass Indoors?

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Steffie

Steffie

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hi,

steadily, i have been clipping our little lawn with scissors to give the boys grass a few times a day now that the run has moved indoors because it is too cold,wet and windy to go out. there is still some to go, but i thought to try and grow some grass indoors: any advice/tips on best how to go about it? i have already got some seeds. thanks a lot!
 
I'd like to know too. I'm not sure if grass grows during the winter - even indoors
 
Yes, grass will grow at any time of the year. I used to grow it at home in big pots as we do not have grass in our garden. The piggies loved it. I prefer it to outside grass as you know it is totally clean and not been fouled by cats etc. Good luck!
 
This is my grass, I dunno if it's grown though?Like if it should be thick or not? haha
 

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I would leave it a while later rather than trimming back now. It should thicken up a bit in time. Maybe you could sprinkle some more seeds in.
 
I was going to add more seeds, but I wasn't sure if that would be okay?
I will now, thank you :)
 
so, what is the difference between growing in pots, and trays (as i assume the pic is showing), apart from the obvious. and what do you do, exactly, in either case? thanks, btw, for picking up on my question!
 
I'm growing some in a pot also, waiting on that atm, as I wanted to see what was best.
But yes the pic is a tray :)

I just put two layer of kitchen towel laid out in the tray (same with pot), dampened it, put the seeds on, added a bit more water (covered with clingfilm for a few days) and kept on top of a fridge, then when it started to grow more I took clingfilm off and brought it up to my room so it's in the light :)

Seemed to work for me!
 
I am glad that a lot of other people cut grass (with scissors or the like) for their piggies. I have been cutting the grass from my back garden for some years now and never thought anything of it. And then Guinea Pig Magazine did an article about garden plants for piggies. It said that you should pull up grass rather than cut it. Cut grass, apparently, produces a toxin that can get into the piggies guts. I wondered if this was true, as my piggies have never suffered any ill effects from cut grass. Has anyone else read the article?
 
7squeakers. said:
I am glad that a lot of other people cut grass (with scissors or the like) for their piggies. I have been cutting the grass from my back garden for some years now and never thought anything of it. And then Guinea Pig Magazine did an article about garden plants for piggies. It said that you should pull up grass rather than cut it. Cut grass, apparently, produces a toxin that can get into the piggies guts. I wondered if this was true, as my piggies have never suffered any ill effects from cut grass. Has anyone else read the article?
Click to expand...

I have never heard of that! I used to grow lots of grass for my piggies and cut it with scissors - I didn't pull it out as it would not have regrown. I never noticed any problems with the piggies eating the grass.
 
I think the GPM article must be wrong. If grass produces toxins when cut, how much of it must horses, who bite off the grass, be eating? Cows pull up the grass with their tongues, which is why cows do more damage to pasture than horses.
 
7squeakers. said:
I am glad that a lot of other people cut grass (with scissors or the like) for their piggies. I have been cutting the grass from my back garden for some years now and never thought anything of it. And then Guinea Pig Magazine did an article about garden plants for piggies. It said that you should pull up grass rather than cut it. Cut grass, apparently, produces a toxin that can get into the piggies guts. I wondered if this was true, as my piggies have never suffered any ill effects from cut grass. Has anyone else read the article?
Click to expand...

I have always cut grass for my boys- and never heard of the toxin problem, - in fact my boys can be out in their garden run and will still want me to put cut grass in for them ( I think that just their lazy layed back attitude- LOL) Surely pulling grass and cutting is the same ?
 
I'm a grass 'puller' but I know you shouldn't give chickens or guinea pigs grass cuttings from a lawn mower. This, I've heard, is also because it's been 'cut'. I'm not sure why though!

I would think grass cut with scissors would be ok, although I wouldn't give grass cuttings. Personally I pick all types of long grass from the fields when I walk my dog! I often store some in the fridge as well!
 
I also saw that in the guinea pig mag and was worried as I grow grass in doors and have always used scissors but since reading that article have tried pulling it by hand which is very hard with grass grown in pots:(
 
Lawn mower clippings shouldn't be fed because the action of the mower chops and bruises the grass causing sugars to be released and the breakdown process to begin (it starts fermenting) whic involves the release of gases. If fermenting grass is eaten then gas may be released in the digestive system causing bloat, GI stasis and potentially death.

Grass cut by hand and fed immediately is fine.

Grass can be grown in trays of compost (which is sterile) which will allow the root system to build up. Clipping it by hand will mean it's not destroyed by the piggies. You can use a mix of grass seeds and sow quite densely to get thick growth.

Use a seed tray with holes in the base and stand it on another tray for water. Keep damp but not wet and keep in full sun.
 
7squeakers. said:
I am glad that a lot of other people cut grass (with scissors or the like) for their piggies. I have been cutting the grass from my back garden for some years now and never thought anything of it. And then Guinea Pig Magazine did an article about garden plants for piggies. It said that you should pull up grass rather than cut it. Cut grass, apparently, produces a toxin that can get into the piggies guts. I wondered if this was true, as my piggies have never suffered any ill effects from cut grass. Has anyone else read the article?
Click to expand...



I read that article too and must admit, I stopped using scissors to cut grass after reading it.

We all know mowing is a big no no. I am sure above posts are correct and cutting with scissors is OK
However,

I always like to play on the safe side with my guinea pigs.
 
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