Does anyone here grow their own sprouts?

[LEaSH]

I've been engrossed in the idea of trying my own indoor sprout growing experiment.

There is much online about it, but would like to read anyone's experiences here.

Do you harvest your own seed? Or just buy online or use local supplies?

I'm going to attempt my first small jar today and should have a result by the end of the week. Will update if any interest is generated. Thanks.

 

[leftsock]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fit7WFRb_iw

 

[draftsman]

I have sprouted lentils and other dry beans from the grocery store just to try it. I haven't tried true sprouting seeds yet. I wonder if Whole Foods or Trader Joes would carry that sort of thing?

 

[Sailor]

I have, got everything off amazon. Do it mostly in the winter for added fresh veg.

 

[dirtfarmerz]

I don't know of a grain that won't sprout. Mung beans are one of the most nutritious. I would not sprout soy. The link to Weston.a.price.org has plenty of information on why not to eat soy. Grains and beans should be soaked to remove phytic acid. Sprouting is even better. Sprouted grains and legumes reduce food allergies. Spelt is better than wheat; no gluten.

Search - Weston A Price Foundation

 

[cbm76]

Easy to do and a great idea. I don't know about other places but I highly recommend Mountain Rose Herbs. Here's an article, and here's a how to: video

 

[2ADMNLOVER]

Do these produce a seed or something that can be re planted ?

I know planted isn't the correct terminology but what I mean is can I reproduce more sprouts from one batch ?

 

[dirtfarmerz]

Do these produce a seed or something that can be re planted ?

I know planted isn't the correct terminology but what I mean is can I reproduce more sprouts from one batch ?

Nope. You'd have to let it grow to maturity, let it dry down, and then harvest it. You can purchase seed in quantity. Alfalfa is probably one of the most expensive seeds. Spelt and the rest aren't so bad. You will be getting very nutritious meals out of it. You can store pails of seed if you're prepping. The link shows where you can get local supplies right from a farm.

Local Harvest / Farmers Markets / Family Farms / CSA / Organic Food

You can grind grain, sprouted or not, into flour and make sourdough. Sourdough is fermented and far better for you. I've attached one link to a website for sourdough. You can buy a starter package that is easy to use. You can also use a starter to ferment vegetables. That's pickles without the vinegar. A naturally fermented pickle tastes great and it feels like you popped a Fizzie in your mouth. And yes, I was around for Fizzies. When you hear people talking about "live" foods, they are talking about fermented food like sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha, sourdough, kimchi, and tofu. I stay away from tofu because I don't trust any soy products in the U.S.

How to Make a Sourdough Starter | Naturally Knocked Up

 

[2ADMNLOVER]

Thanks for the links . Didn't know there are so many local stores ,

 

[jeeper038]

Well now I feel like an idiot. I bought a pack of sprout seeds the other day just to try them out. I then planted them in one of those little greenhouses with soil. I was started to get ticked wondering why they were not sprouting. I guess I need to read the instructions next time. Thanks for the video.

 

[trgore]

here is a good link to sprouts
The Science of Sprout Nutrition

also micro greens can have more then 6 times the nutritional value as a mature plant
Introducing Microgreens: Younger, And Maybe More Nutritious, Vegetables : The Salt : NPR

 

[JetGirl]

Bump

I've been engrossed in the idea of trying my own indoor sprout growing experiment.

There is much online about it, but would like to read anyone's experiences here.

Do you harvest your own seed? Or just buy online or use local supplies?

I'm going to attempt my first small jar today and should have a result by the end of the week. Will update if any interest is generated. Thanks.

Did you do it? Did you like it?
Was it easy to find stuff? Which types did you try?
I'm thinking about giving this a go, maybe.

 

[LEaSH]

Bump

Did you do it? Did you like it?
Was it easy to find stuff? Which types did you try?
I'm thinking about giving this a go, maybe.

Yes! Way easier than I thought it was going to be.

I bought some mung beans in bulk from a local health food store here in Indianapolis (Good Earth), I bet Ft. Wayne has similar hippy-shops. I also found a mix at the same shop. The mix is a blend of smaller seeds: fenugreek, radish, and clover ($6 for a 1lb. package).

I also have a package from the survival store in muncie - I can't remember the name Patriot Supply- Brown Mustard seed ($8 for 1/2lb.).

I use a clean mason jar and cheesecloth with a rubber band. My brother has a plastic rig made specifically for sprouting and he likes it very much. His has different lids for smaller and larger seeds. When I need to sprout the smaller seeds I use a couple more squares of cheese cloth to keep from losing many seeds. Once they get sprouting I can take off all but one cloth.

Just:
Soak beans or seeds for about 8 hours
Rinse well
Set the jar at a slight angle for drainage and air circulation
Rinse twice a day until ready (less than 5 days most of the time)

Best to keep the process in a darkish corner away from sunlight (I've let mine get too close to window for too long once. They get leafy and it's not as good and doesn't keep very long).

Air circulation is important so no grotesqueties form (never had this happen, but is a main concern of mine).

I have not tried to grow micro greens yet. Those will require light. I will probably use these same seeds and some lettuce seeds I'd saved from the garden last year.

Something else I might forgetting, but I'll edit if I think about it. Hmmm

None of my sprouts have made me ill. And I have a sensitive GI tract when it comes to greens (especially questionable restaurant salads and that sort of thing).

 

[JetGirl]

Yes! Way easier than I thought it was going to be.

I bought some mung beans in bulk from a local health food store here in Indianapolis (Good Earth), I bet Ft. Wayne has similar hippy-shops. I also found a mix at the same shop. The mix is a blend of smaller seeds: fenugreek, radish, and clover ($6 for a 1lb. package).

I also have a package from the survival store in muncie - I can't remember the name Patriot Supply- Brown Mustard seed ($8 for 1/2lb.).

I use a clean mason jar and cheesecloth with a rubber band. My brother has a plastic rig made specifically for sprouting and he likes it very much. His has different lids for smaller and larger seeds. When I need to sprout the smaller seeds I use a couple more squares of cheese cloth to keep from losing many seeds. Once they get sprouting I can take off all but one cloth.

Just:
Soak beans or seeds for about 8 hours
Rinse well
Set the jar at a slight angle for drainage and air circulation
Rinse twice a day until ready (less than 5 days most of the time)

Best to keep the process in a darkish corner away from sunlight (I've let mine get too close to window for too long once. They get leafy and it's not as good and doesn't keep very long).

Air circulation is important so no grotesqueties form (never had this happen, but is a main concern of mine).

I have not tried to grow micro greens yet. Those will require light. I will probably use these same seeds and some lettuce seeds I'd saved from the garden last year.

Something else I might forgetting, but I'll edit if I think about it. Hmmm

None of my sprouts have made me ill. And I have a sensitive GI tract when it comes to greens (especially questionable restaurant salads and that sort of thing).

Thanks for that^! Don't edit something new in, because I might miss it... just post a new comment so I'll see it when I hit "new posts".
Will any seeds work? I noticed you had radish in one mix... will you get the same results picking up a pack of radish seeds from the garden section at Home Depot or something? Thanks for the cheesecloth idea...I was wondering if I could modify a canning lid or if I'd have to buy some of those green plastic "sprout lids".

 

[LEaSH]

Thanks for that^! Don't edit something new in, because I might miss it... just post a new comment so I'll see it when I hit "new posts".
Will any seeds work? I noticed you had radish in one mix... will you get the same results picking up a pack of radish seeds from the garden section at Home Depot or something? Thanks for the cheesecloth idea...I was wondering if I could modify a canning lid or if I'd have to buy some of those green plastic "sprout lids".

I do not know if seeds for planting are the way to go. I mean to say is: the processes of which the seed company chooses and packages and handles the seeds may be different from seeds processed specifically for sprouting and eating. I really don't know.

Of course they'll sprout in the same way the seeds that I bought did. But I have no idea if Burppee or whoever treats the seed packs with anti-fungicide or anything to help with the storage and transport of the seeds intended to be put in the dirt.

I remember buying corn in seed form and when I opened the pack it was obvious to me they were covered in a copper compound possibly to ward of mold or pests. It was the blue-green compound that I've seen used in orchards so whatever it was made me wonder if that is done with most seeds.

I did let some lettuce go to seed last year and pulled off the the dried seeds after the first frost. I will let you know what the results of those seeds. Probably just try to replant in the garden or do some micro-greens indoors with those.

I bet the radish seeds and others would be too labor intensive to collect a lot of seeds for use. But maybe not, people have been doing seed harvesting for awhile now, so I bet there are efficient ways to save them.

 

[LowerSW]

I sprout all year long. If fact this year I purchased a large sprouter so I can have more available.
The process is super easy. However since most seeds sold for growing are treated with chemicals I suggest that you only buy sprouting seeds.
Some links to help you get started.
http://learningstore.uwex.edu/assets/pdfs/A3385.PDF
http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/datastore/234-412.pdf (I included this one because it tells you how to clean the seeds)
From Wikipedia:
..All viable seeds can be sprouted, but some sprouts should not be eaten raw.
..Although whole oats can be sprouted, oat groats sold in food stores, which are dehulled and require steaming or roasting to prevent rancidity, will not sprout.
..All the sprouts of the solanaceae (tomato, potato, paprika, aubergine or eggplant) and rhubarb cannot be eaten as sprouts, either cooked or raw, as they can be poisonous.
..With all seeds, care should be taken that they are intended for sprouting or human consumption rather than sowing. Seeds intended for sowing may be treated with chemical dressings.
Good luck with starting out.

 

[mrjarrell]

While I do not currently have any sprouts going I have the plastic lid variety sprouters and have had really good luck. Whole Foods and most other "health food" stores will have bulk sprout seed available. Yummy alfalfa! They go great on turkey sandwiches with a bit of ranch! It really is easy and worth the small investment in time and money.

 

[sloughfoot]

Here you go. Everything you need for sprouting.

http://beprepared.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=sprout

I use the 4 tray sprouter. It is about the size of a coffee can. One tray per week. It couldn't be any easier.

I am an avid sprouter.

 

[JetGirl]

Thanks for all the handy links.
First I'm going to see what can be purchased locally, but if it comes down to driving down to the Fort or ordering online, I'll just shop online.