If you go onto YouTube you will find a number of ways to sprout seeds. The following is how we do it…Experiment and find the way you prefer.
We obtain our seeds from Got Sprouts (www.gotsprouts.com). They are organic and are produced in a controlled environment so the quality is extremely good. They also are very helpful if you need help with any part of sprouting, juicing, dehydrating, and smoothie making.
If you want to grow wheatgrass, sunflower, pea seeds you will soak and then plant the seeds. If you want alfalfa, radish, broccoli, clover (etc) or mung, lentil, garbanzo, or adzuki beans you will use a container, soak, then rinse until they sprout. (See chart for guidance).
My husband grows the wheatgrass and sunflower seeds. He soaks the wheatgrass for two days, rinsing twice a day. Then on the morning of the third day he plants them. He uses a black garden tray, fills it with 2 inches of dirt (usually organic). Then he rinses and drains the seeds. Next he spreads them evenly over the top of the dirt and waters them. They are watered twice daily. In about 7 days we harvest them. We juice the wheatgrass and freeze in ice cube trays so he can have two cubes daily. Jim Miller has an excellent video on how to grow wheatgrass.
For sunflower seeds you need to soak three days. Then, on the fourth day, fill a black garden tray with two inches of dirt. Next rinse and drain the seeds. Spread the seeds evenly over the dirt. Next place another black tray on top and with a bit of weight. Twice a day, remove try to water then replace. Remove tray once the sunflower sprouts are pushing the tray up. Continue to water twice a day until the plants are about 3 ½ – 4 inches tall.
Both the wheatgrass and sunflower seeds need to be kept at a comfortable temp of about 75 degrees. They also need to be kept in a dark area until the last day. Then some light will help green them up a bit.
Now for on the counter sprouting….
- I grow sprouts all the time on my kitchen counter. I use wide mouth mason jars with either a metal screen or plastic mesh for lid. Remember there are a number of ways to sprout…this is what works for me.
- Place 2 Tablespoons of seeds (alfalfa, clover, radish or broccoli) in the jar.
- Cover the seeds with 2 or 3 inches of tepid water and soak (see other sheet for length of time)
- Gently rinse and drain – set sideways on counter ….. Gently rinse and drain twice a day until the seeds have sprouted (beans have a small tail and for the seeds look for their first leaves. I store the sprouts in the jar in the refrigerator, gently rinsing and draining once a day to keep fresh.
I make sure that seeds are evenly spread out in the jar as it sits on its side. I place them on their side to get more air circulation.
The attached chart gives you soak times and length of time for sprouting. So, need to plan ahead if you want to make a salad, dips etc. Or if you are like me, spouts are always in the frig and others are starting on the counter.
Enjoy!!!
Laura and Steve Wydeveld