Easiest way to sprout ever

[theresaann]

I don't know if anyone has ever written this, probably, but I learned this from a guy at a farmers market. Just put your seeds in the bottom of a plastic zip lock large size freezer bag and soak them overnight with the top open. THen drain the water and rinse them 2X or so a day until sprouted. After 3-4 days, or whatever the seeds call for, just zip it up and put it in the fridge.

I have had no mold problems doing it this way and it's ridiculously easy! I have TONS of sprouts everyday now. Cheap, easy, high quality nutrition.

[Chom Poo]

Thanks for the info. Will definitely give this a try as soon as I buy some seeds.

[rawfigure]

Sounds like a good idea. My only thought would be the water/soaking in the baggie and leaching of the plastic into the sprouts. Does anyone know if this is a valid concern ? I have read that plastic does leach in these situations. I always soak in glass, and try to store in glass too. On occassion I will store a dry food in plastic baggies.

[shelah]

theresaann,
with this plastic bag method, how do you drain the sprout seeds after each rinse? you didn't mention using a colander or anything.

[theresaann]

to drain them, I just sort of seal the bag in spots and slowly pour the water out. I may lose a few sprouts down the drain, but hardly any. Also I've used a fine mesh screen strainer to catch any sprouts that fall out too.

As far as the plastic leaching into the sprouts, you know, I don't know. Probably there are molecules of plastic getting in there, but since it's not being heated (which makes the plastic become "volitilized" or gaseous, and softened) I am gonna take a chance in exchange for how convenient it is. I've had bad luck with mold when using glass jars many times, and for whatever reason, I dont' detect mold with the bags, so I"m just gonna stick with 'em and take my chances!! :)

[shelah]

interesting -- thanks.
what i do to prevent any mold is to put a drop of grapefruit seed extract in the jar when i soak and again with one of the daily rinsings -- okay, sometimes i forget and may miss a day -- anyway, have never had a mold problem.

[blessed]

:D
Great info.
Tell me how do you get the hulls off the sprouts, I have so much touble getting them off.
Thanks

Ann

[RowanC]

My only concern would be the plastic bag. I prefer to keep all of my goods in glass. I do, however, use ziplocks in the freezer for bananas on occasion. But I think the cold keeps them from outgassing. But then, I'm super sensitive, so for most people this might work fine. :::making a note::: It would be GREAT for camping though!

[ingjea]

I have just started sprouting on my own I am fairly new to this... anyway your info was great. Keep it comming!!
ingjea

[CAdreamer]

The first picture is barley grasss (sprout wheat the same way). Use pure vermiculite (Home Depot, etc., very cheap) about 1/2 inch deep/. Wet thoroughly and sprinke liberally with sprouted seeds. Once the seeds have rooted in the vermiculite, you can water from the bottom. The vermiculite will expand to twice it's size and hold a lot of water. Sunflower seeds can be grown the same way.

The second picture is my method of sprouting microgreens and other smaller seeds...like daikon radish.....use 2 layers of thin fabric batting...very cheap. Wet fabric, sprinkle seeds. Water seeds with a very light spray, so as not to disturb. Every day wet the fabric from the bottom. No mold, no rinsing, they just grow nice and straight. Cut off whenever desired. You can brush seed hulls lightly with your hands.

[Beanie]

Where do you get the fabric batting from? I want to try microgreens!

[Spectatrix]

Where do you get the fabric batting from? I want to try microgreens!
You should be able to get it from a fabric store... possibly craft stores too.

[Shivananda]

Use pure vermiculite (Home Depot, etc., very cheap) about 1/2 inch deep/. Fine milled Canadian sphagnum moss is just as cheap, works just as well, and is an organic natural product to boot. I get mine at a garden supply sture. For wheatgrass sprouting I lighten it up by mixing it with perlite, which is considered a safer alternative to vermiculite.


use 2 layers of thin fabric batting...very cheap. I would caution you against using batting or mat or felt from any source other than certified organic growing mats from a hydroponic supply company. There are many potential problems with ordinary fabric batting intended for sewing, because it was never meant to enter the food chain, and these days is primarily from China, so it can contain large amounts of pesticide, contamination from machinery oils, etc.

I find a better alternative is to buy old towels from thrift store, wash them thoroughly, and cut to size.

[Shivananda]

Tell me how do you get the hulls off the sprouts, I have so much touble getting them off. Just smoosh the sprouts around in big bowl of water while letting a little more water drizzle in from the tap. Usually the sprouts sink a little while the hulls float a little and go over the edge like a waterfall.

I think there's a more detailed discussion of this in my previous thread on cheeeeeeap sprouters. http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12316&highlight=shivasprouter

[lily]

Do you then throw away the old towels, Shivananda, or are they re-usable? I should imagine they're too matted with roots? Sounds like a good idea though.

lily

[Shivananda]

Do you then throw away the old towels, Shivananda, or are they re-usable? I use them once and toss them. That's the idea of finding something cheap, but safe. to use. But a 6x6" sproter can grow a heck of a lot of buckwheat or sunflower greens... which are the only two seeds I use them for. Smaller seedslike alfalfa and broccoli and radish and clover need no soil at all. But they DO need air, which is why the plastic bag system doesn't work as well *FOR ME* as the small covered trays of various sorts that I use. I want a flat, single layer of seeds that stays moist between rinsings. I also like to put them on the windowsill for a day or two to green up thoroughly before eating or juicing them.

[Beanie]

What about microgreens like argula? I would like to sprout those too....I'm trying hard to grow my own food in an apartment.

And do you know anything about where to get baby red chard? Or do you just eat the chard when its young??

[Shivananda]

What about microgreens like argula? I would like to sprout those too....I'm trying hard to grow my own food in an apartment.I understand. Arugula (means rocket) is a good choice for containers because it grows so fast, and also because it is tastiest and most tender when harvested and eaten much younger than you can normally buy it at a market. Just plant in any handy pot or planter and stand back, that's my experience.


And do you know anything about where to get baby red chard? Or do you just eat the chard when its young??Whenever I have a full garden I grow chard, but now I just buy it.

[Beanie]

Hey, I thought you couldn't do argula in a jar since its muclinous and can't be soaked. So how is it done exactly? I'm still kinda new in sprouting. Just got the wheatgrass down!! Thanks a lot Shivananda, youre the best!! ;) I'm trying to keep my food bill at a minimum so I can stay raw.

[rawpriestess]

Hi, I use a nutmilk bag, just put in some seeds, and fill the bag with water, I use the drawstring to hang from my kitchen cabinet, and put a bowl underneath to catch the drips, this way I see it, and it is hanging where I can grab, rinse, hang, grab, rinse, hang very easily, several times a day, never once had a mold problem

[Shivananda]

Hey, I thought you couldn't do argula in a jar since its muclinous and can't be soaked. So how is it done exactly? Sorry, I misunderstood your misunderstanding. :)

I kinda got crossed with the questions about container gardens. I don't sprout arugula, I plant it in a pot and grow it. It's very fast growing, so I think it is ideal for apartment dwellers who want salad sized fresh greens. .

[lily]

Thanks for the info, Shivananda, I'm going to try growing my buckwheat and sunflower greens on towelling... wonder whether paper hankies or kitchen paper would also work? You are a mine of information and it's much appreicated.

lily

[Shivananda]

wonder whether paper hankies or kitchen paper would also work? I have used rough paper towel successfully, and others swear by cheap kitchen sponges. The key thing to understand that all your sponge or cocomat or towel really has to contribute to the equation is a place for the buckwheat or sunflower sprouts to grab their roots onto for physical support. They take no substantial nourishment from outside themselves until they are far larger than we have already eaten them.

[lily]

Right, thanks, I'm on the look-out for root-grabbers...

lily