It’s Cold Outside, Let’s Grow Sprouts!

Greetings!

Phew, this is the first day of February! Last month felt long, with lots of frigid temps. Even when the weather doesn’t allow for growing food outside, you can still garden! With just a glass jar and a bit of counter space, you can witness a miniature garden unfold before your eyes, resembling a fascinating science experiment.

Why?

Growing sprouts is something you can do so easily at home, particularly during the cold months.

For us, it’s about the nutrition of it. There are lots of veggies that we like better, especially straight out of the garden. (I’m looking at you, sun-kissed tomatoes). I’m still experimenting with all the different varieties of seeds.

Look at these beautiful sprouts! Aren’t they just gorgeous?!

How?

Few simple steps:

1- Choose your sprouting equipment. You can get a fancy stainless steel sprouting kit, a sprouting jar, or you can recycle a glass jar that is sitting lonely in your pantry. Any of these options will work, but my current favorite is a wide-mouth Mason jar with a sprouting lid. It makes the process seamless.

2- Select your seeds wisely. I recommend opting for seeds explicitly designated for sprouting, as they undergo laboratory testing to mitigate the potential risk of foodborne illnesses.

3- Soak the seeds 8-12 hrs. That’s it. Just cover your seeds with water and forget about them overnight.

4- Twice daily, give your seeds a thorough rinse and drain. Growing sprouts is as simple as rinsing a cup; there's no need for any "I don't have a green thumb" self-doubt. Perform morning and evening rinses, and then allow the seeds to rest. Note that specific seeds, such as Mung Beans, tend to thrive in darkness. Ensure proper airflow by placing the jars upside down after rinsing. This helps facilitate drainage, preventing excess water and contributing to your success.

Now What?

Within three to six days, you'll have sprouts ready to eat. Here are a few pictures and ideas on how to enjoy your homegrown sprouts. I snuck Mung bean sprouts into my kids' morning smoothie, and we also enjoyed them over salads and sandwiches. They pair beautifully with morning omelets as well.

One of my gardening class members suggested eating sprouts on top of tacos, and that is a great idea I haven’t tried yet. If you do, please let me know!

Spring is coming and soon we will be able to grow food outside! In the meantime, I wish you the best time growing sprouts during the cold winter months. If you need assistance in designing your garden for optimal production, click here to schedule a consultation!