How to Grow Sprouts (& Microgreens)
Countertop gardening for everyone!
January seems to be the time when just about everyone re-commits to healthy eating. It’s not necessarily about losing weight, but let's face it, after the last few weeks of cheese platters, pie, gravy, and everything else…it’s nice to have a bit of green.
The problem is, it’s not exactly “salad season,” and getting anything that’s actually fresh or worthwhile can be tricky.
That’s why I absolutely love sprouts and microgreens.
Growing sprouts is an easy way to enjoy fresh greens year-round, right from your countertop. While they're expensive to buy at the store, they cost just pennies to grow yourself.
They’re more nutrient-dense than big fluffy salad greens, so just a little bit packs a punch. A jar or two takes just minutes to get started, but will keep you eating green all week long.
Sprouts are the perfect beginner “gardening” project for just about anyone, no matter where you live. You only need enough counter space for a jar, and you don’t even technically need a sunny window. Any old countertop will do.
There’s no soil to fuss with, and everything’s ready to eat before you know it.
Read More: How to Grow Sprouts
If you’re looking for slightly more of a challenge, but only slightly, you can try growing microgreens at home, too. It’s very similar, but they require soil and you only eat the top half of the plant. It’s like growing greens, but in micro-sized…thus the name.
They’re ready to eat in just 2-3 weeks, depending on the type.
And again, all you need is a tiny bit of counter space. It’s literally square-inch gardening.
Read More: How to Grow Microgreens
We take our microgreens pretty seriously here, and since it’s not “seed starting” time, I use our homemade seed starting light setup for growing flats of microgreens.
Any sunny windowsill will work, as microgreens don’t need much light to get started. Since I already have this rack right here, it holds them all nicely and I can even do it in the basement without windows.
Things You Might Need This Week
How to Grow Citrus From Seeds - It’s citrus season, and they’re incredibly easy to grow from seed. We put our potted citrus outdoors in the summer, and then they overwinter inside. In about 3-4 years, you’ll have your first homegrown lemons, limes, or oranges.
How to Grow Ginger Indoors ~ Lemons aren’t the only thing you can grow indoors. Ginger actually loves shade, so you can keep it inside year-round.
Seasonal Preserving
Looking for seasonal preserving recipes? These will help keep your larder full year-round:
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Things I’m Loving
Garden Tower Project ~ We use their really innovative grow tower to garden year-round in a very small footprint. It works indoors or outside, and can be used with lights or without.
High Mowing Organic Seeds ~ One of the few sources for 100% organic seeds and growing supplies anywhere. They only sell organic seed, and they’re right here in Vermont.
What are you harvesting, preserving, building, or exploring on your homestead this week? I’d love to hear about it!
Leave me a note in the comments…
Until Next Time,
Ashley at Practical Self Reliance
I love bean sprouts! I’ve put the sprouting lids & a 3 bean blend of peas, lentils & adzuki beans on my Amazon list, as well as a salad mix of alfalfa, red clover, radish & broccoli. I never buy sprouts at the store as they’re kinda pricey, but this seems relatively simple & much more economical. Also being able to buy organic, non-gmo & made in USA seeds is a lot better option than whatever frankenseeds they use for sprouts in the store.