Mary, Mary Quite Contrary

Mary Mary quite contrary,

How does your garden grow?

With silver bells and cockle shells

And pretty maids all in a row.






Thursday, March 4, 2021

Sprouting Your Own Seeds

Sprouts are rich in a number of important nutrients. While the specific ratio of nutrients varies depending on the type of sprout, they generally contain high levels of folate, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamin K. In fact, they have higher amounts of these nutrients than fully-grown versions of the same plants.

Health benefits of sprouts

1. Sprouts help you fight illness and are anticancer

2. Sprouts help with hormones, acne, and PMS

3. Sprouts support healthy digestion

4. Sprouts improve insulin resistance

5. Sprouts boost the immune system

For More Information on Benefits of Sprouts

Sprouting Equipment

When I first looked into sprouting I discovered that I could spend a ton of money on fancy sprouting gadgets that would do it all for me.  Sprouting for me is about saving money while adding nutrients to our diet, though, so I went with the simplest equipment necessary.
  • quart-sized canning jar / use dishwasher & sterilize jars
  • wide-mouth canning screen lids (Available on Amazon)


Why does the mason jar need to be sterilized?

We want to grow sprouts that are chemical and pathogen-free. To do this, everything that comes into contact with the seeds must be sterilized.

The safety of sprouts

Food safety and basic hygiene rules in the kitchen should always be followed. How to grow sprouts safely at home is easy if these principles are followed.

One way to eliminate the risk of salmonella and/or bacterial growth is by properly cleaning and disinfecting all equipment before and after each use.

Growing sprouts at home are quick, easy and so very nutritious!



"Food to Live"

Sprouting Seeds available on
Amazon & Ebay.

I use what is called "Salad Mix" with Clover, Alfalfa, Radish & Broccoli







  •     My "set up"



My Simple Sprouting Routine

I spent at least an hour reading multiple pages of sprouting tutorials that made it seem like you’d be in the kitchen forever. Not so. I spend two minutes per day and I have fresh, cheap sprouts. 

 This is how I do it:

1. Soak Sprout Seeds Overnight.

In the evening pour about 1-2 tablespoons of sprouting seeds into the bottom of your quart jar. Put the sprouting screen in place and screw on the canning ring. Pour about two cups of water through the sprout screen. Swirl the seeds, drain, and then cover again with water. Place jar on your counter top until the morning.

2. Drain and Rinse Seeds.

The next morning dump the water out. Repeat the process of rinsing, swirling, and draining, TWICE. Once drained very well place at an angle that will allow the jar to lay upside down at a slight angle. I use plate easel stands.

3. Continue Rinsing and Draining Every Day.

Two to three times per day you will want to pour water through screen, swirl, drain well, and place back in your bowl. Every day your sprouts will grow a bit more until they have filled your entire quart jar and started to turn green. This can take anywhere from 3-5 days.

4. Store Sprouts. (Optional)

When you are satisfied with the length (and greenness) of your sprouts you are ready to store them in the refrigerator. At this point you want your sprouts to be as dry as possible, so make sure you are at the end of a drying cycle. Keeping them dry will stop their growth and slow down spoilage. Sprouts usually keep for up to five days. (I do not store any seeds, I eat them every day, and just grow enough to eat and rotate jars as they grow)

5. Eat Sprouts.

Sprouts are great in soups, sandwiches or mixed with greens as a salad.

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