Sprouters
Once you have sprouting seeds you will need to purchase or make a sprouter.
Sprouting Jar
The jar method of sprouting is one of the easiest ways to sprout. You can create your own using a mason jar and some kind of screen like cheesecloth, mesh or metal screens. Cheesecloth is probably the easiest and most sanitary method; you will need a rubber band to secure it to the top of your jar. There are also several pre-made options like the Sprouting Jar from Handy pantry shown here.
Sprouting Cloth/Bag
Another great method for sprouting is known as “the bag method” or sometimes the hemp bag method. Some people swear by the bag method, saying that it has better air circulation and drainage than other methods, which allows for high yields and better sprouts. Some debate exists about bag sprouting however; some have suggested mold is more common with the bag method. Since sprouting bags are very affordable and easy to transport, they are a great option.
Sprouting Tray
There are several different types of sprouting trays available like the popular Sproutmaster and the Sprout Garden. A huge advantage of the tray system is you can grow a lot more sprouts and use less space. The only real drawback to using a tray sprouter is that they are slightly more expensive and slightly more difficult to use. For larger production a tray is a great option, if you don’t need a lot of sprouts one of the other methods would be preferable.
Make Your Own
A simple sprouter can be made easily with a mason jar and some cheesecloth. Simply attach the cheesecloth to the top of your mason jar with a rubber band and you’re done. Below are some great tutorials on other Do-It-Yourself sprouters.
http://bean-sprouts.blogspot.com/2007/10/how-to-make-bean-sprouter.html
http://www.instructables.com/id/Modular_Hydroponics_Sprouter_Modification/
Great post! Thanks for the info. Where can I get everything all in one package?
Just thought you might be interested in our experience with 9-year-old sprouting seeds … that SPROUTED.
See it at http://www.internet-grocer.net/sprouter/htm
WOW! That is amazing! No one can grow "terminator" GMO seeds! Hold onto some of those seeds – you may need them in the future. Go to: Organic Consumers Association AND World Natural Health Organization (WNHO) for great info plus history of Monsanto!
My two favorite packages are the Food Storage Sprout Kit
http://www.handypantry.com/product/FSSK
and the Burpee Seed Sprouter
GardenGirl,
Not sure who you're responding to, but the sprouters we sell (which will NOT sour your sprouts) are at http://www.internet-grocer.net/sprouter.htm and can be ordered at
http://www.internet-grocer.net/store/cart.php
Best regards,
Bruce
Great article/PDF. I'm going to try sprouting again; we already like sprouts on salads and sandwiches (avocado, cucumber, and alfalfa sprouts with mayo, tomato optional, on multigrain bread, yum!)
I tried for years with the Mason jar method and often had problems, but I've just bought (very cheaply) one of those multi-tray sprouting systems and it works better than I could hope – and takes up very little space.
The top tray of my worm farm works GREAT for sprouts! And the worms get what we don't use.
I feed the worms, the worms feed the soil, the soil feeds the plants, and the plants feed me!
WHoops, forgot to say, the top tray is covered in Hessian (Burlap) fabric that is kept damp to keep the worms from getting too dry, the seeds spread under the fabric will sprout right through it
http://www.MyMimsies.etsy.com
Ch-ch-ch-chia!
ok, but what if you run out of seeds.How do you take this a step further and creat more seeds? or is that not Practicle?
Evidently, NOT!
That's one reason I chose not to grow them…..
Storage is a problem can't be dehydrated, and can't be re-hydrated, but, they do grow fast!
ALSO: Like Chinese food, you can eat a couple of pounds, but in 15 minutes you'll be hungry again!
No substance, just water!
Not much of a diet, albeit a supplement, I guess.
Evidently, NOT!
That's one reason I chose not to grow them…..
Storage is a problem can't be dehydrated, and can't be re-hydrated, but, they do grow fast!
ALSO: Like Chinese food, you can eat a couple of pounds, but in 15 minutes you'll be hungry again!
No substance, just water!
Not much of a diet, albeit a supplement, I guess.
Great article on sprouts and sprouting. One more great home sprouter should be mentioned here. The Easygreen Sprouter. I own 2 of them myself. Having been a commercial sprout grower for a number of years these are the best and easiest home sprouters available. The sprout quality is superior to other growing methods.
Very interesting design there! Thanks for sharing. I bet it does really well with wheat grass.
It is a cool sprouter. I've grown a lot of wheat grass in the Easygreen with dirt and hydroponically and it does an excellent job.
Sprouts are fantastic! Fresh right now food that can help with any sort of ailement! Here is a thought on keeping the sprouts fresh and free from mold or fungus: go to Freshwater Organics they have a powder that is made of "food grade" fossilized diatoms. Sprinkle on growing sprouts! Also great for you too! Tasteless and helps you stay healthy! Inexpensive. Amazing! Good info: FreshwaterOrganics.com/What is DE?, or look at USES FOR DE and "Detox"…DE: Diatom-aceous earth! Keep Sprouting and Stay Healthy
Wow. thats an interesting way to look at Sprouting. I am a big fan.
Thanks for all the great advice and suggestions!
Thanks for the excellent content! I just wanted to let you and your readers know that you can win free, non-gmo organic seeds by simply sharing a sprouting YouTube video or a sprout recipe on our website at this link:
http://www.easygreen.com/drawing-contact-form
Thank you for sharing your tips with us. So much helpful info.
Like this articles :)
I got a graphical manual on bean sprouting which can be download/read for free at this link:
http://www.advancedfarm.com
The manual is based on your guide here. Thanks
[…] You can sprout your own seeds in a glass jar. This could be fun. Instructions here. […]
[…] to absorb chlorophyll which accounts for the green color and further develop their nutrients. The Survival Spot makes the very good point of that sprouts make a good survival food since they need such minimal […]
I tried to download the sprouting pdf but I got, "Sprouting guide could not be downloaded because it could not be found –error 404." Just got the email so the link must be bad. Any ideas? Please email me at: daleawagner@yahoo.com. Thanks, Dale
Great post !
Sprouts are great healthy food .Always loved them.
Found a few tips in your guide very interesting.
Good stuff will be waiting to hear more from you.
Hi! This article is packed with great information! I first got interested in sprouts when I realized the benefit for preparedness. You can always have a fresh supply of nutritious raw vegetables if you have seeds and water, and it doesn’t take up much space. I use the Easy Sprout sprouter. It really is easy to use. You can read about it and see pictures at http://thesafehealthyhome.com/how-to-grow-sprouts/ I first learned about it from the Sprout People website.