Request: Growing Sprouts
Archived on 07/01/2009
By Ellen Brown
Q: I do well growing Mung beans in a jar and get good bean sprouts, but when I have tried to grow tiny Alfalfa and Radish seeds in jars and trays I have problems. Either they are hard to rinse, or the Radish seeds (in particular) develop a slight but noticeable white mold, so they are inedible. Any ideas please?
Browser from UK
A: Dear Browser,
Mung beans are supposed to be harder to grow, so obviously you're doing something right! The key to sprouting alfalfa and radish seeds is frequent rinsing. Try these steps:
1. Cover the bottom of a clean glass jar (mason, peanut butter, or mayonnaise jars work well) with seeds (about 2 seeds deep). Don't use too many seeds or you'll have problems.
2. Fill the jar about half full of cool water and let the seeds soak for at least 6 hours (or overnight).
3. After the seeds have soaked, strain off the water using a fine mesh strainer or screen that you can fit over the end of jar so you don't dump out the seeds.
4. Wait another 6 hours or so and fill the jar half full of cool water again. This time pour the water off immediately. You only need to soak the seeds overnight the first time.
5. Continue to rise and drain the sprouts TWICE each day (three times is best). This constant rinsing will prevent the seeds from drying out or from forming mold.
Take out the sprouts when they are ready to eat. For best results, keep new jars sprouting to replace the older ones as you use them.
Ellen
About The Author: Ellen Brown is our Green Living and Gardening Expert. Click here to ask Ellen a question! Ellen Brown is an environmental writer and photographer and the owner of Sustainable Media, an environmental media company that specializes in helping businesses and organizations promote eco-friendly products and services. Contact her on the web at http://www.sustainable-media.com
Feedback:
RE: Growing Sprouts
I had the same problem. Try covering top of jar with fly screen or netting, or similar material, instead of the metal jar lid. This will allow more air to circulate and prevent aerobic microbe problems. Also use tap water several times a day to rinse, and stand jar upside down (with netting on) until drained. Avoid keeping your jar in areas that are too warm, unless its on a sunny windowsill, as the sunlight seems to inhibit mold and mildew growth. A rinse in dilute salty water every day or two may help, but then rinse the salt off again, as it may damage the Alfalfa. Good luck. (01/14/2006)
By Elizabeth
RE: Growing Sprouts
Spraying plants or seedlings with 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 10 parts water kills and prevents mold and mildew. Just rinse sprouts before you eat them.
(01/25/2006)
By bulrush
RE: Growing Sprouts
Go to the local Fred Meyer store or Shopko or such store. In the kitchen department (usually in the kitchen tools section) get a handheld strainer. Looks like a stainless steel web with a handle on it.
At home, find a bowl that is deep enough to hold the strainer in it. Fill the strainer with a couple of handfuls of tiny seed. If your seed still falls through the strainer grid, then put a couple of pieces of cheesecloth in the strainer before adding the seeds.
Set the strainer in a bowl and fill the bowl with room temp water until the seeds in the strainer are covered at least a half inch with water. Set in a dark cupboard overnight. In the morning lift the strainer out of the bowl and empty the water from the bowl and rinse the bowl. Then hold the strainer with soaked seeds under the tap using cool, but not cold water and rinse for about a minute. If your kitchen faucet has a spray unit then that is good to use also.
Set the rinsed seeds back in the empty bowl and return to dark cupboard. Rinse at least three times a day. Try to rinse before going to bed. Repeat until seeds are sprouted. Rinse again and place in refrigerator containers lined with paper towels. Hope this was a help. It works for me. (03/04/2006)
By Liberty Justice
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