Sprouts! A Gardener’s Winter Pastime

7 Comments / fodder, indoor gardening, mung beans, sprouting, sprouts, winter gardening / By
I have a deep-seated, genetic, need to make things grow. 

Unfortunately, it is cold outside.  Well, at least it has been.  Today was very pleasant in a sweatshirt and it is supposed to be in the 70s next week, but in general, it’s winter in Alabama and I never know from week to week if it will be flip flop weather or freezing, so that brings most gardening to an end.  

I have a kale, onions, and a few other things in the ground still, but I’m not really actively gardening.  It kind of bums me out.  That is when I discovered a wintertime solution, sprouts!  Why didn’t I think of that before?

Mung Bean Sprouts
Mung Bean Sprouts Day 5

I enjoy bean sprouts in Asian dishes, I don’t know why I had never thought to grow them, but they are easy, fun and nutritious!  I purchased these mung bean sprouts from Amazon:

And followed instructions I found at Sprout People.  They were very easy to grow.  In less than a week, they have gone from 1/3 of a cup of seeds to a completely full quart jar of fun!  You can practically watch the things grow!  

Basically, you soak them, drain them and then rinse and drain about 3 times a day until they are the size you want.  (What you are going for varies based on what type of seeds you sprouted.)  It is really very simple.  I am using a piece of cheesecloth, but I do think that next time I will actually get a screen for the top, to make the draining easier.  
Mung Bean Sprouts close-up in Mason Jar
The Sprouts are ready for their close-up!
I plan to use this batch along with a cabbage from the garden for Asian Slaw
We are actually sprouting for our animals now too!  We have started a fodder system for the goats and chickens.
Fodder Sprouts - wheat and sunflower
A sneak peek at the fodder sprouts!
What about you?  Have you ever sprouted?

Also, don’t forget to check out our Farmhouse Style Blog Hop while you are here!

Shared at the Homeacre Hop and the Homesteaders Hop!

***This post contains affiliate links.  A small percentage of the purchase price of items bought goes toward keeping this farm and this blog up and running, so thanks!***

7 thoughts on “Sprouts! A Gardener’s Winter Pastime”

  2. Our Neck of the Woods

    I’ve never sprouted, but it’s on my list! I do love sprouts and it seems so easy to make your own. I’m especially interested in the idea of making sprouts for the chickens so I can’t wait to hear more about that 🙂

  3. Kristi

    I have actually sprouted before–just once–and gave the yummies to my chickens. They loved them! I’d love to try them again and put them in salads and sandwiches–that sounds soooo good!

    Thanks for sharing on Farm Girl Friday Blog Fest #15!

  5. Wild Blue

    Hi! I found your post on the HomeAcre Hop. Thanks for the info, especially the link to Sprout People. I love that there are these special interest sites with ton’s of good specific info for just about anything you dream up! Can’t wait to try our first batch of sprouts! Come on over and visit our blog at http://www.wildbluebus.com if you’d like to.

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