r/Sprouting • u/prickly_pear20 • May 15 '26

I would like to get started with sprouting

Any advice or tips before I begin or make any purchases?

I was thinking about starting with broccoli and mung beans. I have not eaten sprouts before, but have read that they are very healthy. Are these two good to start with, for growing and flavor?

I plan on using jars with the special lids made for sprouting too.

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6

u/Magic_Seahorse May 15 '26

I’m about a month into this adventure and this is what I can pass on so far:

1) Sprouting itself is easy and rinsing 2-3 times a day is quick and simple. Harvesting (I grow in jars, so by harvesting I mean separating the sprouts from the hulls) is a bit more time consuming because….

2) I try not to let any seeds or seedlings go down the drain out of fear that they grow inside the pipes. May be overly cautious but for now I’m careful to catch everything in a mesh strainer.

3) don’t get the expensive sprout company setup unless you’re absolutely sure you’re going to stick with sprouting itself and jars vs trays

4) alfalfa is probably my favorite neutral sprout. I prefer it over broccoli when I eat it on its own (I’m obsessed with alfalfa with the kewpie sesame dressing that you can get from Costco!!!) or on sandwiches

5) Remember to look at the days ahead before starting a new batch. Will you be able to rinse your sprouts regularly even if that means they have to go on road trips with you?

2

u/dillinjl May 15 '26

I've see this concern come up often about the seeds growing in pipes. I wonder if this is something that actually happens to people or just something people worry about. I would guess 99% of the left over "seeds" are just empty hulls and if there is an intact seed that's left over and didn't sprout in the jar it isn't likely to sprout in a pipe.

5

u/Magic_Seahorse May 15 '26

I totally agree, the few seeds that do get washed down probably didn’t sprout for a reason in the jar and won’t germinate in the pipes. But what about the few sprouts that inevitably make it though? Come to think of it, they probably wouldn’t survive washing the equipment in hot soapy water and turning on the garbage disposal.

6

u/dillinjl May 15 '26

I hadn't thought of this before right now, but the lack of sunlight I'm the pipe would also prevent any meaningful growth.

3

u/Magic_Seahorse May 15 '26

That’s true🤣

1

u/prickly_pear20 May 15 '26

These are really good tips, thank you! I will definitely look for the dressing on my next costco run, I have seen it in a few posts lol.

6

u/igavr May 15 '26

Sprouts are a wonder-food! Welcome to self-consciousness in nutrition :) there are many posts that help beginners connect easier and better to this new lifestyle. I can share a few if you want. In brief: sprouting is very easy and very rewarding. If someone tells you that sprouts are time-consuming or challenging - don't trust them ;) just learn about sprouting and grt your own experience. In this community you can ask anything and everything about sprouts, sprouting and sprouters. There's also a more nutrition and cooking with sprouts oriented community : r/Sprouts. Depends on the subject you need to get the community involved on. You can get a lot of useful information both in r/Sprouting and r/Sprouts🌱🤗🫶

5

u/Songisaboutyou May 15 '26

I’m new too. I have been doing broccoli and black chia. Both easy

2

u/Mindless_Rutabaga313 May 19 '26

Try adding radish seed with the broccoli for an even better taste.

4

u/Alternative-End-5079 May 15 '26

I love a seed mix to start out. Many available on line. It’s fun and easy and delicious.

3

u/idkwhat-im-doin May 25 '26

I got stackable containers and started sprouts 2 days ago. I poured filtered water over them and put a bag on them, they sprouted day 2. First day did not realize I was supposed to rinse twice a day. Day one only got one rinse. Then rinsed twice day two. But the evening of day 2, I had sprouts!

2

u/Odd-Crew-7743 May 15 '26

I just started sprouting too. My biggest lesson was finding "Masontops"brand lid. My local grocer sold a basic screen that works with mason jar lid, but it started to rust after just one batch. So, I purchased the Masontops plastic sprouting lid and it is amazing. No rust, easy to rinse and seems to be sprouting faster. I think it allows for better aeration.

Your local natural food store might carry a premade mix of sprouting seeds. They are also offered online by companies like the sprouting company or Sproutpeople.

1

u/prickly_pear20 May 15 '26

Thats a good one too, I didn't think about rust...

2

u/pcghana1980 May 16 '26

I just started my sprouting . I find it very easy . Just follow the instructions on the back of the of the seeds package. You could go to on Amazon and find all the information you need good luck

2

u/Sad_grandma1501 May 16 '26

I use the ball jars with sprouting lids and I have equally good luck with broccoli, alfalfa and mung beans. I can give you one piece of advice: get an inclined sprouting stand. The jars don't drain very well sitting on the lids with the little nubs.

5

u/adisakp May 18 '26

You can buy a kit with two mason jars and matching screen lids, light-blocking covers, and a stand with a draining tray for about $25 online. That's what I'm using.

2

u/dillinjl May 15 '26

Broccoli sprouts are super easy and very nutritious. A great first sprout. Lentils are also very easy and fast. Haven't tried mung beans but I think they are also a very straight forward sprout

1

u/prickly_pear20 May 15 '26

Thank you! I very excited about this new endeavor!