*Sprouts: The Healthy Prepper's Best Friend*
By: TooshieGalore
29 March 2017

What are sprouts?

Sprouts are a raw, living food, germinated from the seeds of plants like vegetables, spices, grasses and legumes. Only a few sprouts are generally available for purchase, so most must be homegrown.

Why sprouts?

• A highly concentrated source of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, chlorophyll. More concentrated than their fully mature plants.
• Helps keep you "regular" and boosts the immune system.
• In 1997, researchers from John Hopkins discovered that broccoli sprouts contained major amounts of glucoraphanin, a natural antioxidant and cancer-inhibiting detoxifier.
• Can be grown indoors, in a small space and with few resources
• Can be ready to eat in less than a week.
• A colorful addition to bland tasting food. Provides a bit of "crunch" to mushy re-hydrated foods.

How to grow sprouts:

You can buy an official "sprouter" but most people I know grow sprouts in a bag, a glass jar or in a soil flat. I prefer to use two quart-size to half-gallon glass jars with cheese cloth or panty hose rubber banded to the top for air flow. (I've also used a mason jar with the panty hose held on by the ring.). I'm usually eating from one jar while the next batch starts in the second. Wash with hot soapy water and allow to air dry between each use.

1. Use a sanitized area and tools - this is raw food; don't think it as gardening
2. Soak seeds - usually overnight
3. Rinse and drain. (Some require dehulling)
4. Prevent mold with a ventilating lid for good air flow
5. Shake jar so that wet seeds/beans are not all stuck together. I lay my jar on it's side for a larger ventilated area.
6. Place in a 65-80 degree F area to germinate
7. Run a bit of water in the jar and swish around enough to dampen the seeds then drain. You want the seeds moistened but not sitting in water. I like to add 1 Tbsp azomite mixed in one gallon non-chlorinated water - for rinse water.
8. Most are ready to eat after growth is 3 to 6". If you grow to leaf, provide light.

A wide variety of spouting seeds and beans are available online. If you are new to sprouting, I suggest buying a few small samples to see what you like. Follow the growing instructions that come with your package, but in general, the following has worked for me:

Alfalfa

• 1/2T seeds per quart jar
• Soak 8 hours
• Prefers 60-80°F
• Sprouts in 3-5 days

Basil Microgreens

• 1 1/2t seeds per quart jar
• Soak 8 hours
• Prefers 75-85° F
• Sprouts in 7-10 days

Broccoli

• 2T seeds per quart jar
• Soak 8 hours
• Prefers 50-70° F
• Sprouts in 3-5 days

Buckwheat

• 1/2C black unhulled buckwheat groats (these do better in soil trays)
• Soak 10 hours
• Prefers 65-80° F
• Sprouts in 7-10 days

Clover

• 1 1/2T seeds per quart jar
• Soak 8 hours
• Prefers 60-80°F
• Sprouts in 3-5 days

Cress

• 2T seeds per quart jar
• No soaking required.
• Prefers 60-80°F
• Sprouts in 12-14 days

Fenugreek

• 3T seeds per quart jar
• Soak 10 hours
• Prefers 65-85°F
• Sprouts in 5-10 days

Lentils

• 3/4C lentils per quart jar
• Soak 8 hours
• Prefers 60-85°F
• Sprouts in 2-3 days

Mung Beans

• 1C beans per quart jar
• Soak 12 hours
• Prefers 68-85°F
• Sprouts in 3-5 days

Onion Sprouts

• 4T black onion seeds per quart jar
• Soak 12 hours
• Prefers 50-75°F
• Sprouts in 10-12 days

Pea Shoots

• 1C of green pea seeds per quart jar
• Soak 12 hours
• Prefers 50-75°F
• Sprouts in 10-12 days

Purslane

• 1 1/2t purslane seeds (works better in a soil tray)
• Soak 10 hours
• Prefers 65-80° F
• Sprouts in  10-14 days

Radish (Red or Daikon)

• 3T seeds per quart jar
• Soak 12 hours
• Prefers 60-80° F
• Sprouts in 4-7 days

Sprouted Rye

• 1C rye grain per quart jar
• Soak 12 hours
• Prefers 68-80° F
• Sprouts in 1-3 days

Sunflower

• 1C black oil unhulled seeds per quart jar
• Soak 12 hours
• Prefers 60-80°F
• Sprouts in 8-10 days

Sprouted Quinoa

• 1C quinoa grain per quart jar
• Soaking 1 hour
• Prefers 68-80°F
• Sprouts in 1-3 days

Sprouted Wheatberries

• 1C wheatberries per quart jar
• Soak 12 hours
• Prefers 68-80°F
• Sprouts in 1-3 days

Wheatgrass (hard-red wheat)

• 1C wheatberries per quart jar
• Soak 12 hours
• Prefers 68-80° F
• Sprouts in: 8-10 days

Get started in sprouting with this $1.95 package of seeds and a recycled spaghetti sauce jar:
http://parkseed.com/product.aspx?gclid=CKHOsOWj5dICFdONswodYMMOYA&p=05460-PK-P1

I buy my favorite sprouting mix in a 5-gallon pail. The mix provides variety in flavors, texture and nutrition:
https://www.handypantry.com/sprouting/protein-powerhouse-seeds

Or make your own high-protein mix by purchasing small packets of green peas, garbanzo beans, adzuki and mung beans.

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