Grow Your Own Greens

Some of the freshest, most nutritious organic greens on the planet can be grown right in your kitchen without special equipment, complicated instructions or time-consuming techniques. All you need is a quart jar, a few tablespoons of sprouting seeds and water.

In about a week, you’ll have a jar full of delicate sprouts you can sprinkle on salads, add to sandwiches or toss into soups for a delicious and healthful twist on your favorite recipes. Some say sprouts are the most nutritiously dense food one can grow.

Sprouts are also an economical alternative to buying greens at the grocery store. A small bag of seeds will grow into many delicious harvests. Another benefit is that growing sprouts is a great way to get kids involved in the kitchen. Because sprouts grow so quickly, they’ll be able watch the entire process from seeding to rooting to eating.

How to Sprout

High-quality organic sprouting seeds can be found in natural food grocery stores, at online seed retailers, in garden centers and sometimes at home improvement stores. Seeds that are most popular for home sprouting include alfalfa, lentil, mung bean, clover, radish, sunflower and broccoli. There are also many seed blends available.

Each kind of seed offers a different taste experience, from slightly sweet to tangy, but all offer a way to make ordinary meals special.

Sprouts can be grown in a store-bought stackable tray system or in a simple quart jar. The steps are the same in either case—soak seeds overnight, rinse with cool water at least once a day and drain. Most sprouts will be ready to harvest in about one week.

To get started:

1. Buy the organic sprouting seeds of your choice.
2. Add 2 tablespoons seeds to a clean, dry quart jar.
3. Cover jar with cheesecloth, a nylon stocking or mesh screen; secure with jar ring or rubber band.
4. Cover seeds with water and soak overnight.
5. Drain water; rinse seeds with fresh water.
6. Swish water and seeds; drain.
7. Rinse seeds with cool water once a day and drain. The sprouts will be ready to harvest in about 7 days.

Use fresh sprouts immediately or store in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Plant Covers Freeze Protection 10 ft x 30 ft Floating Row Cover 0.9oz/yd²

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Lightweight and Breathable MATERIAL Good for protecting Plant: the plant frost cover material is 0.74 oz/sq non-woven polypropylene fabric, which is lightweight, breathable, and durable. The plant blanket frost protection allows sunlight reach the plants, perfect for protecting plants from the damage of freeze or frost. Wide Application In your Garden Work. The plant row cover not only can work as a barrier against frost, but also can be a great tool for germination and good for rapid seedling growth. By using the fabric plant covers over your plant, you can start the plant earlier in the spring and extending the growing season of your plants. How to Use the Plant Covers: you can cover the plant covers for freeze over your the plants loosely directly and then secure the plant frost blanket with soil, stones or staples. You can also support the floating row covers with a hoop, make enough room for plants to breath and grow. You could also cut the plant covers into different sizes for different purposes.

Buy at Amazon

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

MULTITASKING DUAL EDGES: a deep serrated edge and a tapered slicing edge ideal for tough or delicate cuts. DURABLE 6-inch stainless steel blade withstands 300 lbs of pressure. TWINE CUTTING NOTCH, DEPTH GAUGE MARKINGS & spear point - no need to switch tools when using this garden knife. LEATHER SHEATH: heavy duty, protective, clip on sheath to keep your knife convenient and secure. LIFETIME WARRANTY.

Buy at Amazon