I've just puts some mung beans and green lentils in to soak so I can sprout them for my salads again. It's very easy and they add a nice crunch to the salad. All you need is a large jar, some muslin (the cover needs to be breathable) and an elastic band plus about 2 or 3 heaped tablespoons of dried beans. Soak the beans overnight in the jar, then rinse them in the morning and leave on the kitchen windowsill (don't leave them standing in water and no need to take the cover off while rinsing). Rinse twice a day, morning and night and they should start sprouting quite quickly. They're usually ready to eat on the 2nd to 4th day depending on how warm it is and keep in the fridge for at least 3 days if you haven't already eaten them. You can get sprouting jars from amazon fairly cheaply if you prefer and you can sprout most other dried beans in the same way. Adzuki beans (little red) are good too and I have a dried 10 bean salad mix which I've sprouted. Bigger beans may take a little longer and seeds such as alfalfa sprout more quickly. Use only whole beans, peas or lentils. When you look at how expensive salad toppers are in the shops it's much cheaper to grow your own and they add some extra protein, vitamins and minerals to your salad as well as tasting good. Generally I use the dried beans and lentils you can buy in the supermarket and they work very well.
Are you a windowsill gardener and what do you grow to eat?
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lawli56
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Don't expect them to be as big as the ones you buy from the store, it depends on the size of the beans you use. So small beans and lentils like the ones I use produce small sprouts. But they are still a great addition to salads or just as a snack. I'll post pictures as they progress.
This article explains why sprouting not just beans and seeds but nuts and grains is so good for you and a more comprehensive method than I posted. I've got some barley, spelt and quinoa which I'm going to have a go at sprouting over the summer too. I may try some nuts as well.
Thank you for sharing the information and picture of the beans sprouting. I can't wait to see how big/tall the sprouts get in the next few weeks/months from now.
Yes I’ve done this before too. It’s about the right time of year to start doing it again. Thanks for the reminder. I’m growing some micro greens on my window sill at the moment. They’re just small radish seedlings that you eat as a seeding instead of planting. Very tasty and attractive topping for salads too. It’s a slightly different way of growing but just as easy.
Yes I plan to start growing some micro greens as well. I just need to do a little research before I set it up. I have some broccoli seeds to start with.
18 hours after soaking, draining putting on the windowsill to sprout the lentils are just beginning to split and some show the beginnings of a sprout. Click on the picture for a closer look.
Some the mung beans however have a sprout about 1/4" long already. I should add the mung bean shells are softer than the lentils and I put far too many in the jars so next time I shall use 2 level tablespoons of dry beans.I forget how big they get.
I'll update again in 48 hours. I've also got some radish and broccoli seeds. There are several different ways to grow them but I will be using the same method as I'm using for the beans as I find it less messy. I usually put a new lot in as soon as I harvest them so I always have sprout and microgreens in my fridge all summer long.
Hi lawli56 I have just come across your post about sprouting, I have been thinking about doing this for ages! I would like to sprout broccoli but dont know what to start with!!
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It's not "instagramable" but its delicious and my body loves it
Chilli etc
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