Quick Greens for Hard Times

Sprouts are one of the easiest and quickest food sources

that can be grown in your very own kitchen.

These sunflower seeds were ordered from one of my favorite companies,

Sow True Seed, in nearby Asheville.

They are most often the source for my gardening seeds,

and I trust their selection of heirloom and open-pollinated seeds.

Here's a great way to keep your family in greens in case you can't get to the store.

In a shallow tray (this one had held portobello mushrooms),

add seed starting mix and moisten well.

Add a dense layer of sunflower seeds right on top. 

Cover with a light layer of soil mix and press down

to give the seeds direct contact with the soil.

 Water lightly, just to moisten the soil

and place a lid on top of your container.

(This flat lid was the top of a purchased lettuce mix.)

A lipped container was placed underneath,

just to ensure no mess on the counter

and to make it easier to move around.

The whole thing sat next to our kitchen sink,

where we could watch the magic unfold!

About twice a day, it got misted with water, using an old spray bottle.

This soil mixture tends to dry out quickly, and it's important to 

keep the seeds moist, but not sopping wet.

Within 3 days, the sprouts started popping out!

The flat lid was switched out for a taller one,

(again a lettuce container),

to accommodate the growing stalks.

 By day six, the top was getting lifted off of the container!

The greenhouse-like conditions helped them retain the moisture better,

but it was still misted at least daily until harvest.

 By day ten, they were ready for harvest.

 The stems were snipped near the top of the soil

and the sprouts were rinsed in cool water in a strainer

and left to air dry for a few minutes.

They were placed in the refrigerator in an old strawberry container,

so that they could remain as crisp and vibrant as possible.

What was left in the growing container was composted.

Adding these sprouts to salads, sandwiches, even egg dishes,

is a sure-fire way to add fiber, vitamins and some novelty to your diet.

Wouldn't kids love to see this miraculous evolution?

A new batch could be started every few days

so that there is an ample supply.

I find most sprouts delicious,

but sunflower sprouts are without a doubt my favorite.

I'm thinking I need to save some of our seeds from this summer's garden,

so that we have sunflower sprouts all winter long.

 

Here's to growin' your own!