How-to-Grow a “Super-Simple Eco-Friendly” Sprouts Garden

So much of the food that we eat is tainted with synthetic additives and toxic chemicals that it seems almost impossible sometimes to find convenient ways to nourish our bodies with healthy foods. Quality organic produce isn't always easy to find and can often be quite expensive. Some people choose to start their own gardens at home, although this isn't an option that everyone has and actually involves a lot of hard work.

First, a word as to why sprouts are so amazing. Seeds, grains, beans and nuts are the most concentrated "nutritional storehouses" of any food. Sprouts are biogenic foods and are brimming with valuable vitamins, minerals, plant hormones and enzymes. Alfalfa sprouts are considered to be one of the most nutritious foods in the world and are high in protein, chlorophyll, calcium, potassium, Vitamin A and K. Even though many of us try to eat healthy food on a regular basis, the body also needs sufficient enzyme levels for proper digestion and sprouts will greatly rebuild those levels in our cells.

Now that you realize what a super-food sprouts really are, don't be afraid, a sprouts garden is really a very easy thing to do and can grow plentifully right there in your kitchen or office. All you need is a jar, a piece of cheesecloth or a stocking and a few seeds and you will be singing “Green Acres” in no time.

Start with 2-3 tablespoons of seeds- sort out any dirt or debris- rinse them well- and put them into the jar. Cover them with a few inches of water and let them soak overnight. (If your local water isn't the best, you might want to use bottled water because all pollutants in the water are passed on to the sprouts!)

In the morning, cover the jar with a cheesecloth and fasten it over the mouth of the jar with a rubber band. Strain out all of the water- rinse the seeds- and drain again. (This water is great for your houseplants- it is full of valuable nutrients that your plants will really appreciate!) Make sure that you shake out all of the remaining water in the jar so that your seeds don't rot, and set the jar upside down so that any excess water can drain out.

In the evening, repeat the same rinsing technique and continue this process for 4 or 5 days. You can rinse your sprouts in the middle of the day to speed up growth, but each time make sure that you rinse them well and drain them completely each time.

The best seeds for sprouting are alfalfa, clover, garbanzo beans, soy beans, and lentils although there are many more varieties of seeds, nuts, and grains that you can try growing at home.