Sprouting
Sprouts are something that are extremely easy, cheap, can be grown without extensive grow lights, and are healthy for you. Growing sprouts is a great activity to do with younger people and teach them the benefits of eating healthy.
I’ve gotten a lot of requests about growing veggies or herbs inside. This is a good place to start. Once you have mastered sprouts, you can move on to harder crops.
Sprouts is a good way to get that fresh garden “I grew it myself” in the wintertime.
I like to get people started by using a pint jar. Some people use a fancy sprouter or a quart jar but I found that starting with a pint jar is enough sprouts for 2-4 people to add to their salads or a sandwich.
All you need to start is a jar and a sprouting jar lid. You can buy the lids online or what I chose to do is make mine. I had a piece of an old screen door that I cut to size that fit inside of the jar ring and the ring I screwed onto the jar. Instant sprouter!!
The next step is choosing the type of seeds you want to sprout. You can use any seed. You can buy them at a grocery store, garden center or collect your own. I choose to use seeds that have been certified for sprouting. I know that they have not been treated with anything that would prevent them from sprouting and have been tested and verified to be free of E.coli and salmonella. Growers of sprouting-specific seeds take great care to make sure the seeds they sell are very clean and free of harmful bacteria and other pathogens that can thrive in the sprouting environment.
Seeds from the grocery store can be used, but are not tested. This is because when they packaged and sold them, they were assuming that you were going to cook them and the cooking temperature would be enough to kill any bacteria. Botanic Interest seed company is a local Colorado company that has packages of sprouting seeds for sale. You can find them at any garden center, hardware stores, online or even grocery stores. They also have mixes that takes the guess work from you and makes it easy.
In the pint jar, I use a tablespoon of seeds per jar. I fill the jar ½ way with water and shake the seeds so that they will hydrate. Set the jar overnight (10-12 hours) in a place away from light. I put them on the counter in a corner that doesn’t get sunshine, plus it is visible so I don’t forget about them.
Soaking will soften the outside layer of the seed and prepare it for sprouting. I use tap water even though experts say to use filtered water. I have never had a problem with chlorine or lead in our Colorado tap water.
The next morning, pour out the water, leaving the seeds inside. Fill ½ ways with water and shake to rinse. Pour out the water and do it a second time. To prevent bacteria from growing you can use ¼ teaspoon of citric acid in the water to rinse. Citric acid can be found in any canning area at the store. I haven’t had that problem so it is up to you.
After the second rinse, I set my sprouter back on the counter with the opening facing down in a container so any moisture that is left in the jar can drip out. Before you go to bed, rinse the seeds two more times and put them back in the dark with the opening face down.
Day 1
Rinse Twice Daily - Morning & Night
Day 2
Keep Rinsing!
Day 3
Look at them go! Don't forget to rinse.
ENJOY!
The following morning and night repeat the rinsing a couple of times and letting it drain each time storing it in a dark area. Repeat this process until day of harvest.
Each day that goes by you will notice the sprouts start to form. Depending on the variety of seed you use, they should be ready in about five days. Once the sprouts are the size you want, I rinse one last time and give it more light to green it up a bit usually 5-6 hours.
I then take the sprouts out of the jar and place them on a towel and pat dry. Eat them now or put them is a zip lock bag and use within a few days. You can freeze them and use them later in stir fries.
