I'm an Alfafa Sprout Farmer!!
I mentioned trying to grow alfalfa back in my mung bean post. Well the time is here, it's official... I'm an alfalfa sprout farmer!
Awww look at all those little babies... so cute.
I learned something since growing my mung beans... sprouts need good air circulation. Cheese cloth although easy and cheep, doesn't allow for as much air flow as needed. A few days into growing I realized my sprouts weren't growing as fast as I thought they would. I opened the lid and moved the cheese cloth down so about 1/2 inch was open to the air... no joke, the next morning, DOUBLED in size!! So just remember, air flow = good... but don't go with no lid... you'll let too much moisture out! Or you can also buy sprouting jar lids if you don't want to have to mess around with the cheesecloth, those will allow for better ventilation too!
this is 1.5 Tbs of seeds... that cost pennies... amazing!
OK here's how you sprout your own! Place 1-2 Tbs of alfalfa seeds into the mason jar and cover with water, cover top with cheese cloth and place jar ring on to hold the cloth in place. Let soak for 4 hours. Once they are done soaking drain the water (it's full of great nutrients so use it to water your indoor plants or something) then fill the jar to the top with new water let it sit 1 minute, swirl them around and drain it again. (When you put the cheese cloth back on at this point leave 1/2 inch open on one side) Place the mason jar in a bowl so it's tipped on its side somewhat (jar mouth facing downward) and place in a warm partially sunlit place. Rinse them again at night and repeat each night and morning for 3-4 days. Your sprouts will be around 1/2 - 1 inch when they are full gown. The hulls of the seeds will fall off at some point, you can toss them out. The only thing to watch for is mold, if you keep them to moist they may grow mold (GROSS) so keep an eye out!
Pretty to look into... just don't leave your sprouts totally open to the air, they will dry out and not grow.
OK now that you have your sprouts, what should you use them in??
How about some homemade hummus, homegrown sprouts, grated carrot, on toasted honey whole wheat... YUM!
Awww look at all those little babies... so cute.
I learned something since growing my mung beans... sprouts need good air circulation. Cheese cloth although easy and cheep, doesn't allow for as much air flow as needed. A few days into growing I realized my sprouts weren't growing as fast as I thought they would. I opened the lid and moved the cheese cloth down so about 1/2 inch was open to the air... no joke, the next morning, DOUBLED in size!! So just remember, air flow = good... but don't go with no lid... you'll let too much moisture out! Or you can also buy sprouting jar lids if you don't want to have to mess around with the cheesecloth, those will allow for better ventilation too!
this is 1.5 Tbs of seeds... that cost pennies... amazing!OK here's how you sprout your own! Place 1-2 Tbs of alfalfa seeds into the mason jar and cover with water, cover top with cheese cloth and place jar ring on to hold the cloth in place. Let soak for 4 hours. Once they are done soaking drain the water (it's full of great nutrients so use it to water your indoor plants or something) then fill the jar to the top with new water let it sit 1 minute, swirl them around and drain it again. (When you put the cheese cloth back on at this point leave 1/2 inch open on one side) Place the mason jar in a bowl so it's tipped on its side somewhat (jar mouth facing downward) and place in a warm partially sunlit place. Rinse them again at night and repeat each night and morning for 3-4 days. Your sprouts will be around 1/2 - 1 inch when they are full gown. The hulls of the seeds will fall off at some point, you can toss them out. The only thing to watch for is mold, if you keep them to moist they may grow mold (GROSS) so keep an eye out!
Pretty to look into... just don't leave your sprouts totally open to the air, they will dry out and not grow.OK now that you have your sprouts, what should you use them in??
How about some homemade hummus, homegrown sprouts, grated carrot, on toasted honey whole wheat... YUM!
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Those sprouts look great! They are 3 or 4$ a box here, and I always end up throwing away half a box of slimy sprouts. I really need to try this out!
(Oh and that sandwich looks SO good!)
I've been wanting alfalfa sprouts, but haven't bought them recently because of the salmonella warnings. Now I can make my own!
I'm going to be an alfalfa farmer too! I have always wanted to do this. Your sandwich looks soooo good!
yaaay on sprouts!
That looks like soooo much fun!! I love growing things, but I always end up forgetting about my plants and then they die...
Look at those sprouts! How cool!
Mm, nice sprouts! You're tempting me to give them another go... They make such great additions to salads and sandwiches, I just never have them on hand.
You are too cool! I love this. Your sammich looks delish.
Wow, how neat! The sandwich looks really delicious with the sprouts and hummus!
Thanks everyone!! These really are easy, I tend to forget to water things too, but with these it's only a quick rinse each morning and night for 3 days... that's it! Then they are done :)
I'm definitely going to try these. Where does one buy alfalfa seeds?
Kara- I bought mine at the local organic co-op in the bulk spice section. Maybe check the organic or natures section of your local grocery store? Or ask at the customer service desk? Or maybe a local garden center might have some? I hope you can find some! Let me know where you end up finding them so I can let everyone know :) I know not everyone has a co-op type place near by like I do here.
Oooo...I *love* sprouts, on all kinds of stuff :) I've wondered how to grow my own...this is awesome! Thanks so much! :)
You can use a piece of panty hose. It works just as well maybe even better. Just take any jar sitting around in your house and use a rubber band to hold it down.
Tiffiny- I hope you've had good luck growing some!
Dani- that is a great idea!! now if I only wore them and had ones laying around... to the store I go :)
*Finally*!! I finally grew me some sprouts! Thanks so much...Come see!!
http://bakeoff-flunkie.blogspot.com/2010/02/how-to-grow-your-own-alfalfa-sprouts.html
*Finally*!! I finally grew me some sprouts! Thanks so much...Come see!!
http://bakeoff-flunkie.blogspot.com/2010/02/how-to-grow-your-own-alfalfa-sprouts.html
You can use a piece of panty hose. It works just as well maybe even better. Just take any jar sitting around in your house and use a rubber band to hold it down.
Tiffiny- I hope you've had good luck growing some!
Dani- that is a great idea!! now if I only wore them and had ones laying around... to the store I go :)
That looks like soooo much fun!! I love growing things, but I always end up forgetting about my plants and then they die...
Those sprouts look great! They are 3 or 4$ a box here, and I always end up throwing away half a box of slimy sprouts. I really need to try this out!
(Oh and that sandwich looks SO good!)
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