A major aim of the organic gardening project was to present practical organic gardening methods that are applicable for those that do not live on hobby farms. People with little to no backyard are still able to grow some of their own food even if they are renting. The amount of emails I recieve from peoplewanting to grow veggies in pots varifies the fact that growing needs are adapting and that efficiency is required. Sometimes the smallest and quickest growing plants can reliably save you money. No matter if you live in a city unit or in the country, you should be producing a few batches of sprouts each week. Although there are many choices with sprouts, aim for 4-6 jars of alfalfa sprouts per week if you are just starting out.
Why should you want to grow sprouts?
Once you buy the seed you will save lots of money with each batch compared to shop bought sprouts - and they taste much better fresh! You are harvesting at least some foodstuff literally within 3 days. Sprouts are a super food and come packed with enzymes, minerals and antioxidants. Isabell Shipard has produced the best available book on sprouting. She gives many great reasons to grow your own although the point saying "sprouts provide the best nutritional value for money" really is the bottom line. Apart from this, you should have all the equipment you need at home.
METHOD.
I save glass jars left when I buy sundried tomatos or artichokes. Simply wash them well and dry out in the sun. All you need then is some chucks cloth and spare elastic bands or hair elastic.
250g of alfalfa seed from an heirloom seed supplier is around $9. Eden actually do 400g for $10 which is good value - it will get you many many batches of sprouts.
So once you have your jars, cloth and seed your ready to go. I place a tablespoon of seed into each
500ml glass jar. Quarter fill the glass with water and soke the seeds for 2-3 hours before tying over the chucks cloth and draining well (see image). This is the only time the seeds are submerged in water - after this they only require a slight rinse with water. Place anywhere they will get some light (kitchen window) and rinse with water morning and night. I usually start using on the third day and then keep refrigerated from the 4th day.
The majority of alfalfa sprouts grown this way turn out fresh and healthy. Occasionally you may get sprouts that look and smell a bit waterlogged and heavy. If this happens throw out the entire batch and start again after cleaning the jar. To avoid this problem be sure that all water is drained when doing your twice per day rinse.
RESOURCES
The jar method of growing being the old fashion way, there are many options now for growing sprouts when you want to step up production at home. Sprouts like sunflowers grow more like traditional seedlings and have different growing needs. Other sprouts can be grown in sprout bags made from linen, hemp or cheesecloth. Once you discover the benefits of sprouting, you may even want to invest in a kit for sprouting. For around $100 there are self watering 3 layer domes available - if you want the more basic self watering dome you can expect to pay around $60. Sprout.net.au are based in Melbourne and have a good site to compare the available products if you are interested. Isabell Shipard's book "how can I grow and use sprouts as a living food" is the recommended book to learn everything on sprouting at home. I suggest to start out with the basic jar and alfalfa and progress one seed at a time.
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Posted by: Josiah Fordahl | June 03, 2011 at 04:27 AM