Sprouting Seeds Simply

Sprouting seeds simply was the only way I knew I’d ever get into sprouting seeds. I walked into my local nursery last week for garden amendments and spotted a new display near the rack of Botanical Interests seeds. They have just added a Seed Sprouter to their product line.

Spouts after 3rd day of rinsing

I stopped to look, and might have just made a mental note to think about it, but there was a very enthusiastic representative from Botanical Interests there who sold me on getting one.

Botanical Interests Seeds for Sprouting

Of course, Botanical Interests has a new display of large seed packets for use in the sprouter. I selected Radish China Rose, Brocolli, Alfalfa, Peas for Shoots and Savory Mix. The sprouter comes with an instruction booklet.

When you lift the trays, the sprout roots are revealed, 3rd day

It is recommended to first disinfect the seeds by soaking in a cup of water with 1 tsp. of bleach for 15 minutes, then rinse well. To speed up the sprouting process, soak seeds overnight.

Alfalfa & broccoli sprouts, 3rd day

I spread a tablespoon each of alfalfa and broccoli seeds in the top tray on either side of a divider. (The dividers are removable, and mine wound up mixing together so I just took it out.) On the lower tray, I spread a heaping tablespoon of Mung beans. Place the lid on top and rinse. And rinse, and rinse.

Mung bean sprouts, 3rd day

Rinse at least 6 cups of water (if you have a filter on your tap, great!) through the stacked trays at least twice a day. The fourth day I harvested! It couldn’t have been simpler!

Mung bean sprout, 3rd day

I recently read an article, about a study in which 300 Chinese adults from an air-polluted rural farming community were given a broccoli sprout drink every day for 12 weeks. Researchers believe broccoli sprouts help protect against the harmful effects of air pollution. I live in Los Angeles, so if eating broccoli sprouts can help excrete toxicity from my body, I can’t think of a fresher, more cost effective way than to sprout my own seeds. And it’s fun to watch them grow!

Sprouts exploding from trays, day 4

Last night, I made a stir fry with organic broccoli, red pepper and cherry tomato (from the market) with my homegrown leek and Mung bean sprouts over Soba noodles. It was delicious! Please let me know if you would care for the recipe. If you have a great recipe for a broccoli sprout smoothie, please let me know!

Lo Mein with broccoli, sweet red pepper, mung sprouts over Soba noodles

Are you sprouting seeds? Please share with friends. Thanks for your support of “Late Bloomer!” – Kaye

Tags: biodiversity, Botanical Interests, do-it-yourself, farming on small scale, gardening, gardening web series, growing your own vegetables, Kaye Kittrell, Kaye Kittrell Late Bloomer, Late Bloomer, organic, Photography, seed sprouter, seed sprouting, seeds, urban gardening, web series

Category: Community, Environment, Resources, Seeds