Sprout Types Chart + 11 Steps to Growing Your Own

Growing your own sprouts is a good way to eat fresh and save money. It is simple to do, only takes a few days, and the variety is almost limitless.

Reasons for Growing Your Own Sprouts

There are many reasons for growing various types of sprouts. They are a delicious and healthy addition to many recipes and they are packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Because they are living foods sprouts retain a high level of their nutritional value. People who live the vegetarian lifestyle often depend on these nutritional powerhouses as a healthy addition to their diets all year round.

Some reasons to grow your own are:

• Less expensive than buying at the store
• More variety available
• Fresher taste
• It is satisfying and fun
• Easy to do
• Great project for the kids
• Low carbon footprint
• Year round source of vegetables

How to Grow Sprouts

All sprouts are grown in the same manner as other sprouts. You must go through the same steps whether you grow alfalfa sprouts or pumpkin sprouts. The major difference is going to be in the time needed for sprouting. Some seeds, like alfalfa, sprout quickly and are ready for eating in three days or so. Others, like garlic, may take as long as three weeks to completely sprout. For best results follow the directions on the package.It is important that you buy sprouting seeds from a reputable company. Make sure that they are seeds that have been gathered specifically for sprouting. It is best of they are organic as well.

Steps for Growing Sprouts

You will need to have the following items on hand:

• Quart jar, sterilized
• Sprouting seed
• Screen top, or nylon stocking for the top of the jar

Follow these steps:

1. Rinse seeds
2. Place two tablespoons of small seeds, or one half cup of large seeds in jar
3. Cover with three times the volume of warm (not hot) water and soak for two to eight hours, depending on the size of the seed
4. Place the screen or nylon over the top of the jar and secure with a band
5. Drain off the water and then rinse with warm water
6. Place jar at an angle so it can continue to drain for about fifteen minutes
7. Put the jar in a warm, dark place
8. Repeat twice a day until seeds are sprouted and the size that you want
9. You can harvest the sprouts at anytime after the shoots appear and before the secondary leaves appear
10. Let alfalfa and other green sprouts stand in the sunlight (not direct sun) for a few hours to green up
11. Rinse them in cool water, drain and store in the refrigerator

Types of Sprouts

There are a number of different types of sprouts that you can grow and each brings a different flavor and texture to your dishes. Some of the more popular varieties, and their uses, are:

Where to Find Seeds for Sprouting

When you decide on growing your own sprouts, you may have a difficult time finding seeds for sprouting. Many health food and specialty stores do carry a limited variety of the seeds but if you want unusual seeds you will have to buy on the Internet. Look for reputable companies that have been in business for a while and that carry organic seeds.

The Food and Drug Administration has posted a warning that you can get salmonella and other food born illnesses from sprouts. While there were a very few cases of salmonella among consumers that bought sprouts all ready grown, there have been none from home sprouted seeds. Buying organic seeds that is sold for sprouting purposes virtually eliminates these risks.

Some companies that sell seeds for sprouting are:

• Sprout People
• Mumms
• The Sprout House
• Handy Pantry
• Mountain Rose Herbs

Sprouts can add nutrition and variety to your meals. When you grow your own sprouts you not only save money, you are doing great things for your body and the environment as well. Whether you are a traditional vegetarian or on a raw food diet, sprouts are a key ingredient for your healthy lifestyle.