buying wheatgrass seeds

[ace2lefty]

Is there a place in Ontario where i can buy wheatgrass seeds?

[purldiver]

How about your local health food store. Try to buy organic hard red winter wheat berries. This is the same stuff breads made out of so it shouldn't be hard to find.I bought my last 50lb sack from New Natives in person in CA.

[willie634]

I am also in Ontario. Actually in Toronto. The health food stores have wheat berries but all i can seem to find is Organic Hard Wheat Berries.

I want organic hard red winter wheat!! Does anyone know where to find some in toronto or ontario for that matter???


What is the difference with the red winter ones??

[Administrator]

Originally Posted by willie634

I am also in Ontario. Actually in Toronto. The health food stores have wheat berries but all i can seem to find is Organic Hard Wheat Berries.

I want organic hard red winter wheat!! Does anyone know where to find some in toronto or ontario for that matter???


What is the difference with the red winter ones??

This will tell you a little about the differences in seed:
http://www.texaswheat.org/images/E01...heat_types.pdf

I suggest you read a little about the global seed vault here to put things into context: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svalbard_Global_Seed_Vault This is a repository of the various varieties of seed that exist on the planet. In the event of a catastrophe such as disease, extinction, flooding, fire, neglect or even something like a meteor strike, it is hoped that the contents of the vault will supply the world with seed with the genetic diversity and traits to protect the world's food supply.

The vault contains over 50,000 different types of wheat alone. Grasses in general are much more similar than they are different. Experiment as you see fit and worry more about successful germination (good quality seed) than the specific type.

Important Note:

Avoid seed with a copper like color. Most seed available from the wheat marketing board is treated with methylmercury. Methylmercury is a fungicide treatment, is used on most seed and if your seed has a copper like color, you should steer clear of it.

According to Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methylmercury

Ingested methylmercury is readily and completely absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. It is mostly found complexed with free cysteine and with proteins and peptides containing that amino acid. The methylmercuric-cysteinyl complex is recognized by amino acid transporting proteins in the body as methionine, another essential amino acid. Because of this mimicry, it is transported freely throughout the body including across the blood-brain barrier and across the placenta, where it is absorbed by the developing fetus. Also for this reason as well as its strong binding to proteins, methylmercury is not readily eliminated.

Several studies indicate that methylmercury is linked to subtle developmental deficits in children exposed in-utero such as loss of IQ points, and decreased performance in tests of language skills, memory function and attention deficits. Methylmercury exposure in adults has also been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease including heart attack. Some evidence also suggests that methylmercury can cause autoimmune effects in sensitive individuals. However, to date, methylmercury has not been linked to any specific neurologic or autoimmune disease. Although there is no doubt that methylmercury is toxic in several respects, including through exposure of the developing fetus, there is still some controversy as to the levels of methylmercury in the diet that can result in adverse effects.

[willie634]

Thanks, Awsome Info!

I will look into the Methylmurcury. I know that the seeds are organic. That being the case, would it be safe to say that they are free of methylmurcury??

[greenbear]

I live in Ontario and just bought a big bag of wheat seeds from a local farm supplier. It was very cheap. $7.95 (CAD) for a 55 lb bag. No tax.

I doubt that they have been treated with methylmercury. They have a golden, not copper color so I think these are safe.

The farmer told me that the really good wheat seeds will be available in fall.

[epf]

Where in Ontario did you buy the wheatgrass seeds?! I'm looking to grow alot of wheat grass for centre pieces in October! Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Purakane]

anyone have any luck on buying seeds here in toronto yet???

I live in Markham so there is alot of farm land in my area. If I find anything I will post up to share. Please also do the same.

Thanks