Any Tips for Growing Sprouts

[shel]

Sprouts, they be good eatin' ... I've been buying mine but today was the last straw. The durned organic grocery near me wants $2.29 for a little pkg of alfalfas, and I'm sure they're not as fresh as could be. TJ's wants only 79-cents for their sprouts, but they don't seem to move off the shelf as much as I'd like.

So, what suggestions have you for growing sprouts at home? I especially like alfalfa, clover, and mung bean sprouts.

Shel

[foodnfoto]

Check out this site:
http://www.sproutpeople.com
They offer lots of useful information and products for growing sprouts at home.
I like to grow clover sprouts because they taste like alfalfa, but a little meatier.

[shel]

Originally Posted by foodnfoto

Check out this site:
The Coolest Sprouting Seeds on our Planet!
They offer lots of useful information and products for growing sprouts at home.

Thanks! This looks to be a good place to get started.

Shel

[shakeandbake]

I grow sprouts using the mason jar & cheese cloth method. Do a Google on growing sprouts and you'll find all the info you need. Growing them in the jar works great and very simple to do.

[shel]

Originally Posted by shakeandbake

I grow sprouts using the mason jar & cheese cloth method. Do a Google on growing sprouts and you'll find all the info you need. Growing them in the jar works great and very simple to do.

<Slapping forehead> Thanks - found a couple of good sites. Looks to be very easy. For some reason I was thinking I'd need to sprout the little creatures in soil. I may get some alfalfa sprout seeds today - I've got the jats and the cheesecloth.

Sprouts, lettuce, tomato and avacado on good, organic whole wheat bread - mmmm!

Shel

[KYHeirloomer]

Personally I've never understood why anyone would buy sprouts. They're easy to do, and, by doing your own, you have a much wider selection. For instance, I've never seen commercial sprouts for: broccoli; radish; fenugreek; and a whole host of others. All of the greens, for instance, can be sprouted, as well as grains and grasses.

Years back I made some permanent jar strainers by epoxying screening to the inside of a jar ring. Not too much later somebody introduced a plastic version of the same; and there went my chance at fame and fortune.

Anyway, my procedure is to put the seed in the jar and cover with warm water. Let it stand at least five minutes. Then pour it out. Do this two-three times a day until sprouting begins. Then just pour water in and out, twice daily.

Shel: As an alternative, you can grow your own micro-greens by actually planting the seeds. Use those shallow plastic trays that meats and other grocery stuff comes in. Using a hot skewer, melt some drain holes. Then fill with potting soil. Broadcast the seed over the surface, press it in, and mist with water. Cover the tray with cling film until the seed starts to germinate. Uncover, and put it under a flourescent light fixture, keeping the lights no more than about 2" from the growing plants.

By setting up these trays on a succession-planting basis, you can have micro-greens on a steady basis. And if you think store-bought sprouts are expensive, go check those baby greens.

[shel]

Originally Posted by KYHeirloomer

Personally I've never understood why anyone would buy sprouts.
I've never seen commercial sprouts for: broccoli; radish; fenugreek; and a whole host of others.

Convenience was a consideration, or perhaps a better word is laziness.

All the sprouts you specifically mentioned are readily available here. I do not care for the broccoli sprouts at all. Radish sprouts are nice, I very much like alfalfa and clover, as well as mung bean (love mung bean sprout salad w/Asian style peanut sauce dressing).

As for growing baby greens, that may be a problem here as my cats would very much enjoy munching on them. They are like indoor deer

Thanks,

Shel

[mudbug]

Shel,

Perhaps the broccoli sprouts at the store are too mature (bitter) for your taste? Three day old broccoli sprouts are ideal, one ounce of broccoli sprouts contains the health benefits of one-and-a-half pounds of mature broccoli.

[shel]

Originally Posted by mudbug

Shel,

Perhaps the broccoli sprouts at the store are too mature (bitter) for your taste? Three day old broccoli sprouts are ideal, one ounce of broccoli sprouts contains the health benefits of one-and-a-half pounds of mature broccoli.

Quite likely about the age of the sprouts. I didn't realize that the sprouts would be so much healthier than the mature broccoli. Certainly worth a taste test or two.

Now I'm really determined to find some seeds to sprout.

Thanks!

Shel

[Peachcreek]

Years ago i worked in a vegetarian restaurant where we grew all of our own sprouts. Sucession planting is the key to the whole thing. We were able to propagate enough in glass gallon jars to keep a restaurant in sprouts.
The thing to remember is to do small amounts every day and have fresh ones every day or two. Sanitation and proper care is also important or your sprouts can gow mold etc. during the sprouting process.
I used to work with a couple of "bicycle hippies" in the 1970s' who grew sprouts while bicycle touring. They told me they put their jars in their sleeping bags on cold nights in the tent...

!/4 c. alfalfa seeds filled up a whole gallon jar.

[shel]

Originally Posted by Peachcreek

I used to work with a couple of "bicycle hippies" in the 1970s' who grew sprouts while bicycle touring. They told me they put their jars in their sleeping bags on cold nights in the tent....

What a great idea. I can see growing sprouts while making a long car trip. Every few years I make a long trip - across the US, up to Alaska, and so on. One of my biggest complaints while travelling is the lack of good, fresh salads. This seems to be at least a partial solution. Thanks!

Shel

[KYHeirloomer]

I know lots of motorhomers who do their own sprouts, for the very reason you give.

Shel, I would jury rig a sprouting jar out of a Nalgene or other high-end plastic jar, just to assure non-breakage.

Other than that there's no reason not to do it. Even if the jar should tip over while you're actually driving, there's not enough liquid in it to matter.

[shel]

Originally Posted by KYHeirloomer

I know lots of motorhomers who do their own sprouts, for the very reason you give.

Shel, I would jury rig a sprouting jar out of a Nalgene or other high-end plastic jar, just to assure non-breakage.

Other than that there's no reason not to do it. Even if the jar should tip over while you're actually driving, there's not enough liquid in it to matter.

I'll certainly look into the options when I make my next trip.

I wonder if i can grow some lettuce here at home in a similar fashion as growing sprouts. I've seen butter lettuce in some supermarkets that are sold in plastic containers and which seem to be alive. Having had truly fresh picked lettuce (and other veggies and fruit) the stuff available in the market is poor quality by comparison.

Shel