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March 13, 2006

Nature Activity: How to Sprout Seeds in Shallow Soil

Category: Gardens, Nature Curriculum, Survival, Wild Food Recipes – Admin – 5:34 am

This is another way to grow sprouts and works just as well for the urban gardener.

If you have already made a worm bin, then you may even have finished compost ready for this project.

If you don’t have a sunny window, use one or more grow lights, which are sold in greenhouse supplies stores.

In a week, you will have delicious greens, which complement many wild food recipes.
Materials:

  • Planting pots or trays with good drainage
  • Organic compost or potting soil
  • Plastic cover
  • Sticks or toothpicks to prop plastic
  • Bowl or jar for soaking seeds
  • 4 tablespoons of each type of seed
  • Plant sprayer - light mist setting
  • Water
  • Sunlight or grow light

Seed list:

  • Alfalfa
  • Barley
  • Broccoli
  • Buckwheat
  • Cabbage
  • Chickpeas
  • Corn
  • Fenugreek
  • Lentils
  • Mung beans
  • Peas
  • Quinoa
  • Soy beans

Procedure:

1. Soak seeds until they swell. Time varies - wheat needs 8 hours, buckwheat and sunflower need 12-18 hours.
2. Fill pots and trays 2/3 full with soil.
3. Cover soil with a layer of soaked seeds.
4. Water the soil well and cover with plastic.
5. Prop plastic on sticks to allow ventilation - 1/4-inch is fine.
6. Mist seeds with water once a day.
7. Remove plastic after day three.
8. Place tray or pots in sunlight or under grow light.
9. When sprouts reach 5-6-inches, cut tops and enjoy.
10. Keep watering plants, but cut new growth, before it becomes tough.

For further research:

How is sprouted wheat different from wheatgrass?

NOTE: I’m always looking for ways to improve projects
and activities. Contact me with your results or if anything is unclear to you.


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