Alfalfa Sprouting Seeds-Organic-

Jar-Lid Method:

This is the simplest and cheapest method for sprouting. Any standard wide-mouth jar can be used together with a sprouting screen, sprout jar lid, or a small piece of tulle and a rubber band. To follow the basic method below, first check the back of your sprout package or our listings below for variety-specific directions:

• Place 1-2 Tbsp of sprouting seeds in a clean wide-mouth jar

• Place the sprouting screen and ring, sprout lid, or tulle and rubber band over the top of the jar

• Fill the jar with water and then pour off to rinse seed

• Fill jar with water and let soak for 4-12 hours, depending on the type of sprouts

• Drain water, then rinse with water twice each day for 5 days until sprouts are finished

• Store sprout jar in a bowl, tilted at an angle so any excess water drains out through the screen. Sprouts should be moist, not sitting in water

• Once sprouts have grown to be an inch or so long and have formed very small leaves called cotyledons, the sprouts are ready for greening. Just place the jar in bright indirect light and they will turn green over the course of a day.

• Enjoy your fresh sprouts on sandwiches, salads and more!

• Store sprouts in the refrigerator for up to a week. If not stored in an airtight container, rinse sprouts with water each day to keep them moist.

Pros of the Jar-Lid Method:
• Easy
• Affordable
• Works very well for most seeds

Cons of the Jar-Lid Method:
• Less airflow and drainage than other sprouters
• Doesn’t work as well for gelatinous seeds (such as arugula, canola, and mustards), which may clog the screen and prevent water from draining out properly

Sprouting Tray Method:

This is another simple method that allows you to produce several different types of sprouts at the same time. Sprouting trays, like the SproutMaster and Bioset Germinator are usually plastic and stackable. They have multiple chambers with perforated bottoms to allow water to drain through and are modular, allowing you to grow as many different types of sprouts at once as you wish. With some models the bottom becomes the lid for storage. To follow the basic method below, first check the back of your sprout package or our listings below for variety-specific directions:

• Cover the bottom of the sprouting tray with one single layer of seed.

• Place the tray and seeds in a dish of water and soak for required time. (Alternatively, once you've measured your seeds in the tray, you can put the seeds in a bowl, fill the bowl with water, and soak for required time. Drain well.)

• Twice a day, rinse the seeds. Either rinse under a tap of running water, or use a spray bottle to mist well. Tip the tray to the side to drain well.

• Refrigerate to store once sprouts are ready. Sprouts can be refrigerated for up to a week in a sealed container. (Sprouts store best when they are fairly dry- do not store immediately after rinsing.)

• NOTE: The Bioset Germinator contains a siphon system which automatically adjusts the water level and humidity in each chamber. Ideally one should simply fill the top chamber with water twice daily. However, it is recommended to drain each tray individually to ensure proper drainage.

Pros of the Sprout Tray Method:
• Fairly Easy
• Good airflow
• Excellent for most sprouts

Cons of the Sprout Tray Method:
• More expensive than Jar-Lid method
• Less space for taller sprouts like mung beans
• More difficult to clean than with the Jar-Lid method, use a vegetable brush.